Manila cops start crackdown on 'hot' 'crackers

Taking its cue from the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG), the Manila Police District has started to crack down on traders of smuggled goods, especially firecrackers, which are in demand during the Christmas season.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut, who has four large shopping malls in Divisoria under his jurisdiction, has initiated a dialogue among vendors and stall owners on the policy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against the selling of firecrackers, especially the ones deemed by law to be too hazardous to use.

Yabut said that with the onset of September, imported Christmas goods, most of which are reportedly smuggled, will be sold in Divisoria malls. “Importers start to stack up on loud firecrackers when September comes. Some of these stored firecrackers even caused fires due to heat inside warehouses,” he said.

He told vendors and stall owners to abide by the standards set by the PNP’s Explosives and Ordnance Unit on the selling of firecrackers. – Nestor Etolle