Tondo firecracker blast kills 12-year-old boy

MANILA, Philippines — Firecrackers ended the life of a 12-year-old boy and endangered that of his companion, also 12, on Sunday night in Tondo, Manila.

According to the Manila Police District (MPD), the incident occurred around 8:23 p.m. along Lorenzo street corner Jose Abad Santos avenue, where the two boys found two unexploded firecrackers on the pavement.

One of the firecrackers was a piccolo, while the other was reportedly a big triangle.

Initial investigation showed that one of the children allegedly ignited the piccolo using a disposable lighter, triggering an explosion. Both firecrackers exploded, killing the child carrying the big triangle on the spot.

Because of the impact of the blast, the deceased child’s limbs were severed, ABS-CBN News reported.

The other boy who ignited the piccolo “sustained injuries and immediately sought medical attention at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center,” noted the MPD. He was given anti-tetanus vaccine and would undergo CT scan to check for any internal injury.

Personnel from the Jose Abad Santos Police Station of the MPD, the District Explosive and K-9 Unit and the Scene of the Crime Operatives secured the area and conducted a post-blast investigation.

Authorities recovered a disposable lighter and firecracker debris at the scene.

The explosion also shattered glass from a nearby establishment, pierced galvanized iron at a parking lot and left a pothole at the site.

Meanwhile, the victim’s body was brought to a funeral facility for autopsy. Police classified the case as death under inquiry and said the investigation is ongoing.

The Manila Department of Social Welfare gave P25,000 to the family of the dead child and P10,000 to the family of the injured boy, according to radio reports, citing MDSW director Jay dela Fuente.

The Manila North Cemetery would waive expenses for the cremation and burial of the slain boy, while rehabilitation and other services for the injured child would be free once he is transferred to the Ospital ng Tondo, Dela Fuente said.

Piccolo is among the firecrackers banned by the Philippine National Police, along with 30 others because they exceeded the prescribed weight of 0.2 grams of gunpowder, were oversized and had fuses that burn in less than three seconds, according to earlier reports.

Despite the incident, MPD spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines maintained police have sustained their crackdown on illegal firecrackers, with the MPD confiscating an estimated P500,000 worth of firecrackers so far.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said the city’s seven district hospitals are prepared to admit residents injured by firecrackers, with all of them placed “on high alert.”

Each hospital has prepared a bed for firecracker-related injuries, as well as supplies such as bottles of povidone iodine and hydrogen peroxide, bandages, gauzes, thoracic catheters and even trays of raw eggs.?Domagoso urged the public to avoid using illegal firecrackers and ordered police and barangay officers to enforce the ban.

Seized fireworks

The Philippine National Police said it has seized more than P1.22 million worth of illegal fireworks in ongoing nationwide operations against prohibited pyrotechnics, three days before New Year’s Eve.

The PNP said a total of 79,953 pieces of illegal fireworks valued at P1,224,909 were confiscated as of 7 a.m. Sunday. The items were seized from public markets, roadside vendors and police checkpoints across the country.

To ensure safe celebrations, the PNP said local government units have designated 765 firecracker zones monitored by 1,655 personnel, while 741 community fireworks display areas are being secured by 1,992 personnel.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the intensified operations are aimed at protecting the public as the year-end festivities approach.

“As we approach New Year’s Eve, our focus is to keep communities safe so families can celebrate with peace of mind. We want the public to feel that there are authorities watching over them and ready to help while they celebrate,” Nartatez said.

In Central Luzon, the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) and the Bureau of Fire Protection destroyed yesterday approximately P500,000 worth of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices recently confiscated in the region.

Those that were destroyed include boga (improvised cannons), kwitis, goodbye Philippines, lolo thunder, pla-pla, tuna, Judas belt and giant whistle bombs.

“The removal and destruction of these prohibited firecrackers are preventive measures to protect lives, prevent injuries and avoid unnecessary incidents,” noted PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr.

Injuries

As the number of fireworks-related injuries (FWRIs) continues to rise, the Department of Health (DOH) reminded parents to prohibit their children from playing even with legal fireworks.

According to the DOH, use of fireworks that are considered legal, such as kwitis and whistle bomb, are among the top causes of FWRIs, especially among children.

“Kwitis and whistle bomb are both legal fireworks and hence available from licensed dealers… (but) children should never be allowed to hold any fireworks – legal or illegal,” the DOH stressed.

From Dec. 21 to 29, the DOH recorded a total of 125 FWRIs nationwide. The figure, the agency said, is 27 percent less compared to 171 cases recorded during the same period in 2024.

National Capital Region accounted for the biggest number of FWRIs with 57 cases, followed by the Ilocos Region with 12 and Central Luzon with 11.

Males and children between five to 14 years are the most affected.

The DOH said that five-star topped the causes of FWRIs, followed by boga, kwitis, unlabeled or imported firecrackers and whistle bomb.

Meanwhile, environmental watchdog BAN Toxics yesterday urged the PNP and regulatory agencies to intensify action against illegal firecrackers, warning of rising injuries and health risks to both people and animals days before New Year’s Eve.

The group said recent market monitoring in Divisoria, Manila showed vendors openly selling prohibited firecrackers such as super pla-pla, five-star mislabeled as three-star and piccolo.

“The continued manufacture, sale and use of illegal firecrackers are deeply alarming, especially when these end up in the hands of the public, particularly children,” BAN Toxics advocacy and campaign officer Thony Dizon said.

The group also advocated the use of alternative noisemakers such as tambourines, pots and lids to lessen fireworks-related injuries and stresses to pet animals.

According to Dizon, studies show that up to 50 percent of dogs exhibit fear of firecrackers and fireworks and noted that animals have more sensitive hearing than humans, hence high-intensity noises affect them more severely, often inducing fear and anxiety.

He pointed out that repeated exposure to such abrupt and unpredictable sounds can lead to phobias and heightened panic in many animals. — Ramon Efren Lazaro, Mayen Alquitran, Ric Sapnu