Pyrotechnics destroyed in Koronadal

Koronadal City — Authorities here destroyed P50,000 worth of firecrackers and imported pyrotechnics seized by police operatives from sidewalk vendors last Christmas.

The firecrackers and imported pyrotechnics were destroyed inside the South Cotabato Police Office (SCPO) here and witnessed by broadcast and print journalists.

The destruction was led by provincial police director Senior Superintendent Getulio Napeñas and several police officials.

Col. Franklin Alvero, chief of the SCPO’s operations section who led his men in seizing the firecrackers and pyrotechnics last year, said nearly 20 big boxes full of assorted firecrackers and pyrotechnics such as piccolo, baby rockets, kwitis, Judas Belt, sparklers, bawang, pop-pop, small triangles and others were soaked in water inside a ground hole.

The pyrotechnics were all imported from China and were confiscated from the sidewalk vendors for selling the stuff without the required permit.

Alvero said the firecrackers and imported pyrotechnics were worth at least P50,000 based on commercial prices.

He said some of the seized firecrackers and pyrotechnics were bought by the sidewalk vendors from Chinese traders here while others were sourced from business establishments in nearby General Santos City.

City Mayor Fernando Miguel lauded the SCPO for a job well done.