Seized ‘illegal’ firecrackers destroyed

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By Jennifer P. Rendon and Felipe V. Celino

Around P12,000 worth of illegal and unlabeled firecrackers and pyrotechnics were destroyed in a ceremony at the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) headquarters at Camp Achilles D. Plagata in Gen. Luna Street. City Proper, Iloilo City.

The same ceremony was simultaneously done in other parts of the country.

Aside from ICPO personnel led by Lieutenant Colonel Rene Obregon, Jr., the activity also saw the attendance of representatives from PNP Regional Civil Security Unit 6 (RCSU-6) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Obregon said among the items destroyed were 15 packs and 817 pieces of assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnics and 36 Boga.

They were confiscated by members of the Iloilo City Police Stations 1,3 and 6, together with BFP and RCSU personnel during their inspections.

The seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics were turned over to the ICPO Explosives Ordnance Unit for disposal.

The disposal will be done at the Calajunan Dumpsite in Mandurriao district.

Obregon said the seized illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics were way smaller than that of the previous year.

“But that’s something that we are glad because that means fewer unscrupulous businesses we’re resorting to the illegal manufacture and sale of banned items,” he said.

Obregon has also cited the public for patronizing firecrackers allowed by the government.

In Roxas City, Capiz, more than 2,500 pieces of illegal fire crackers were also destroyed Sunday morning at the Capiz Police Provincial Office in Brgy. Lanot here.

Major Maila dela Cruz, CPPO public information officer, said the illegal firecrackers were confiscated during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations through the police’s ‘Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2023’ campaign.

The firecrackers were soaked in water while others were crushed by a police patrol car.