A 55-year-old man in Cabuyao City, Laguna was arrested for allegedly selling firecrackers illegally.
According to the police, the arrest was made after a successful buy-bust operation wherein an undercover officer purchased firecrackers worth over P1,000.
Authorities discovered that only two firecracker and pyrotechnics stores in the city have the proper permits from the City Business Licensing Office, and the suspect's business was not among them.
"According sa kaniya, [sa suspek], ay talagang ito na 'yung naging hanapbuhay niya pamula noong umalis siya doon sa pinagta-trabahuhan niyang pagawaan ng paputok. Siguro, sa aming estimate, siguro nagawa na rin niya ito [dati]; ngayon lang namin na-find out na mayroon siyang pagawaan ng paputok dito sa backyard ng kaniyang tahanan... siguro may 1 year na ring nago-operate 'yung kaniyang [pagawaan]," said PLt. Col. John Eric Antonio, acting chief of Cabuyao City Laguna Police Office.
The police recovered unfinished and ready-to-sell firecrackers with an estimated value of over P60,000 from the suspect's residence.
The confiscated illegal firecrackers are stored temporarily at the Cabuyao City Police Station, awaiting a court order for their destruction.
The suspect is facing charges for allegedly violating Republic Act 7183 Sections 3 and 4, which prohibit the sale and manufacture of firecrackers without the required permit.
Authorities continue investigating if there are other illegal firecracker manufacturing sites in the city.
"Sa atin pong mga mamamayan, pinapaalalahanan po natin muli kayo na mag-ingat po tayo sa pagbili ng ating paputok at pyrotechnics. Bumili lang po tayo sa mga retailers and manufacturers ng mga paputok kasi baka ang mangyari, sa halip na mapa-mura tayo sa mga nabili natin ay magkaroon ng aksidente or disgrasya dahil hindi awtorisado ng ating Bureau of Fire and ng ating Pamahalaang Lungsod ang kanilang nabilihan," Antonio said.
