PNP chief says don’t sell firecrackers to minors

December 28, 2019

Philippine National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa reminded the sellers and manufacturers not to sell firecrackers and pyrotechnic displays to minors, as he inspected firecrackers stalls in Bocaue, Bulacan on Saturday.

This as the PNP already confiscated P1-million worth of illegal firecrackers, according to police spokesman Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac.

“So far we have seized a large number of illegal firecrackers and we started this morning… to destroy them so that they will not be recycled anymore. These are valued for about one million pesos now,” he said in a television interview.

Gamboa said, “Let me remind the manufacturers and sellers to strictly follow not to sell firecracker and pyrotechnic display to minors or those below 18 years of age.”

He said the PNP is strictly implementing Executive Order No. 28 of President Rodrigo Duterte to all the manufacturers and sellers of fireworks products in Bulacan. EO 28 confines the use of firecrackers to community fireworks display.

Gamboa said the PNP is beefing up its force to provide security in identified firecrackers and pyrotechnic zones and firecracker/pyrotechnic displays in respective areas in coordination with appropriate agencies and stakeholders.

He also said that police units are continuously conducting inspections of the manufacturing complex, warehouse, and processing area of manufacturers and dealers in respective areas of responsibility to ensure the observance of safety guidelines.

“The penalties for those persons who will be caught manufacturing, selling distributing, or using illegal firecracker and pyrotechnic devices include a fine of PHP20,000-PHP30,000, imprisonment of six months to one year, cancellation of license and business permit and confiscation of inventory stocks,” he added.

Gamboa said the list of prohibited firecrackers includes Piccolo, Watusi, giant whistle bomb, giant bawang (garlic), large Judas belt, super lolo, lolo thunder, atomic bomb, atomic bomb triangulo, pillbox, boga, kwiton, goodbye earth, goodbye bading, Hello Columbia, Goodbye Philippines and imported firecrackers.

In a television interview, PNP spokesman Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac on Saturday said the PNP were able to seize one million worth of illegal firecrackers. Robina Asido/DMS