PNP cracks down on ‘boga’, searching creators of online tutorials

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is searching for the people behind tutorial how to make prohibited boga (improvised cannon) now circulating online.

In Jun Veneracion’s Wednesday report on 24 Oras, CCTV footage shows two children firing a boga in front of their house.

They were scolded by a resident and later by barangay officials.

The children said they learned to make boga from a Tiktok video.

“Doon sa mga nag po-post ng paggawa nito, we want to warn everyone na meron kayong kahaharapin na mabigat na kaso dahil matagal nang pinagbabawal po yan,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said.

(We warned that all those who posted a tutorial video on how to make this prohibited device will face serious charges since it has been banned for a long time.)

According to the latest report of the Department of Health, boga was the main cause of firecracker-related injuries, which amounted to 47 cases.

Fajardo reminded parents and guardians to supervise their children and prohibit them from playing with boga since it can cause blindness, burns and other injuries that may lead to amputation.

In Rizal province, police destroyed 400 boga that were confiscated.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) also arrested two persons allegedly selling illegal firecrackers worth P6,900 online.

According to ACG spokesperson Police Lieutenant Wallen Mae Arancillo, the suspects claimed they sold illegal firecrackers to help pay for their school tuition. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News