P.2-M firecrackers seized at BF Homes store

MANILA, Philippines - Two days before the New Year revelry, the Parañaque City police seized some P200,000 worth of firecrackers at an abandoned store in BF Homes yesterday.

The raiding team found 33 types of firecrackers at the store on Aguirre street but failed to find anyone there, Police Officer 1 Allan Flores said. 

“Although the seized items were not among the banned firecrackers but they have no label and the owners apparently did not have any permit to sell firecrackers from the city government and the Firearms and Explosives Division, making their activities illegal,” Flores told The STAR in a phone interview.

Flores said police officers staged the raid after receiving information about the presence of a large quantity of firecrackers in the area.

He said the raiders found duplicate copies of receipts of the firecrackers with names on it, which will be used as basis in the filing of charges for violation of Republic Act 7183, or the illegal manufacture, sale and distribution of pyrotechnics.

The confiscated fireworks were sent to the Explosive Ordinance Division of the Parañaque police but Flores said the disposal of the firecrackers will be decided by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP intensified operations against manufacturers and dealers of illegal firecrackers to keep prohibited and dangerous firecrackers off the market.

Under RA 7183, stiff penalties await for individuals engaged in the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. Violators also face the cancellation of their license and business permit and the confiscation of their stock.

The law provides that any person who manufactures, sells, distributes or uses firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices shall be punished by a fine of not less than P20,000 and not more than P30,000 or imprisonment of not more than a year, or both.