PNP warns stores selling illegal firecrackers

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday warned store owners against the selling of illegal firecrackers.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said store owners who will violate may face cancellation of permit and confiscation of their firecrackers.

“Kung mahuhulihan po ang mga physical stores ng mga illegal na paputok ito ay posibleng magresulta ng pagkakansela ng kanilang mga permit at siyempre pagkakakumpiska po ng kanilang mga paputok,” she said.

(If the physical stores of illegal firecrackers are caught, this may result in the cancellation of their permits and of course the confiscation of their firecrackers.)

“Tuloy-tuloy po yung ating cyber patrolling at siyempre yung ating mga random inspection doon sa mga physical stores na nagbebenta po, dapat po meron yang [Philippine Standards] marks, ibig sabihin dumaan po yan sa quality check ng [Department of Trade Industry]. Naglabas na rin po tayo ng listahan ng mga bawal na paputok,” she added.

(Our cyber patrolling and random inspections in the physical stores are continuous. Firecrackers must have Philippine Standards marks, which means they have passed the quality check of the Department of Trade Industry. We have also released a list of prohibited fireworks.)

For the sale of illegal firecrackers online, Fajardo said the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) has been conducting operations since December 6.

A total of 541 illegal firecrackers worth P14,370 have been seized in three operations so far, according to the ACG. Most of the confiscated items were five star with 500, followed by kwitis with 80 and pastillas with 50.

Based on the Executive Order 28 and Republic Act 7183, the PNP listed a total of 28 banned firecrackers including watusi, piccolo, five star, pla-pla, lolo thunder, among others. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News