20 arrested for illegal firecrackers in Calabarzon

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Twenty people have been arrested in Calabarzon for selling illegal firecrackers.

Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, Calabarzon police director, said among those seized were Goodbye 2023, sawa, whistle bomb, higad three star and bawang.

Lucas and Lt. Col. Vicente Cabatingan, regional police intelligence unit chief, led the destruction of the seized firecrackers.

Lucas said not all seized firecrackers were destroyed as these would be used as evidence in filing cases against the suspects.

Among those arrested was a businessman, identified only as Jester, in an entrapment in Barangay Timogan in Los Baños, Laguna on Thursday.

“Most of those involved in the illegal trade of firecrackers are using online platforms. They have been charged before various courts,” Cabatingan said.

The Calabarzon police has conducted 198 operations against illegal firecrackers from Dec. 16 to 30.

In Bulacan, reports reaching provincial police chief Col. Relly Arnedo showed that a 31-year-old man was arrested for manufacturing fireworks at a residential area in Barangay Pulong Buhangin in Sta. Maria.

At least 200 pieces of kwitis, 40 unfinished fountain, 30 cylinder fountain, 100 unfinished kwitis and unfinished sawa were reportedly recovered from the suspect.

Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando had earlier issued an executive order, which provides for the regulation and control on the use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in the province.

Fernando directed barangay captains, particularly in Bocaue and Sta. Maria, to ensure that firecracker manufacturers have permits.

He said he supports measures to stop the manufacture and sale as well as the use of illegal firecrackers.