Cops seize abandoned ‘crackers, ingredients

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police confiscated several firecrackers and firecracker ingredients during an inspection afternoon of Dec 27, 2022 along C1 Road in Barangay San Jose, Arevalo, Iloilo City.

The team from the Iloilo City Police Station 6 led by Major Chen Tañagras and the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU)-6 seized 4.25 kilos of powder nitrate worth P2,500; 700 pieces of luces worth P4,900; 21 pieces of kwites or mini-rockets worth P735; 35 pieces of shooting star worth P525; 80 more pieces of kwites worth P560; and 200 pieces of triangle worth P100.

Tañagras said the seized items were recovered around 100 meters from the designated firecrackers selling area at C1 Road.

The inspection was conducted after the police received reports of a firecracker manufacturer operating in Arevalo area.

Based on RCSU-6 records, of the nine licensed pyrotechnics and firecracker manufacturers in the region, none are from Arevalo.

Tañagras believed that the illegal manufacturer was rattled after seeing the patrolling cops and abandoned the ingredients and their finished products.

“We also believed that some licensed retailers are also keeping pyrotechnics and firecrackers that are not sanctioned by the government,” she said.

That’s why Tañagras said they would intensify their inspection and patrol operations until New Year’s Eve.

Republic Act 7183 (An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, and the promotion of health and safety and general welfare of the people) identifies the common types of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices that may be manufactured, sold, distributed, and used.

For firecrackers, these include:
* Baby rocket;
* Bawang;
* Small triangulo;
* Pulling of strings;
* Paper caps;
* El diablo;
* Watusi;
* Judah’s belt;
* Sky rocket; and
* Other types equivalent to the foregoing in explosive content.

For pyrotechnic devises, allowed are:
* Sparklers;
* Luces;
* Fountain;
* Jumbo regular and special;
* Mabuhay;
* Roman candle;
* Trompillo;
* Airwolf;
* Whistle device;
* Butterfly;
* All kinds of pyrotechnic devices (pailaw); and
* Other types equivalent to the foregoing devices.