Police seized on Monday prohibited firecrackers from different stalls in Divisoria in Manila ahead of the New Year celebration.
Among the confiscated firecrackers were bawang, five star, piccolo, and pla-pla, according to a report of Tina Panganiban-Perez on GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday.
Police Major Joselito de los Reyes, chief of the Station Investigation and Detective Management Branch of Manila Police District Station 11, said authorities keep on monitoring the sale of illegal firecrackers.
“Continuous monitoring kami. If ever po may reported sa amin na mga ganu’n, immediately inaaksyonan po agad namin iyon. We will make sure na makakasuhan po sila kung sakaling wala silang permit,” he said.
(Our monitoring is continuous. If ever there is a reported sale of illegal firecrackers, we will act on it immediately. We will make sure that they will face charges if they do not have a permit.)
As of 6 a.m. on Monday, a total of 34,031 pieces of firecrackers have been confiscated, according to the Philippine National Police.
Eight people have been arrested due to illegal firecrackers.
Due to a fire caused by firecrackers, two people were reported killed and 11 were reported injured.
Meanwhile, some vendors said the sales of torotot or party horns and fruits in Divisoria are still low. Sales of these items are expected to be brisk by December 30.
The prices of these items are expected to increase on December 27, according to the vendors. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News
