More than 530,000 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics have been confiscated so far, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday, New Year’s Eve.
In an update, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said a total of 535,960 firecrackers worth P2,528,013 have been confiscated so far as of 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
A total of 34 persons have been arrested in connection with the illegal possession and illegal sale of firecrackers. Most of the arrests were reported in Calabarzon with 19, followed by Metro Manila with nine, Central Luzon with four, Bicol and Zamboanga Peninsula with one each.
According to the PNP, a total of 172 people were injured due to firecrackers.
In a Dobol B TV interview, Fajardo noted the high number of cases of firecracker-related injuries caused by boga, an improvised cannon made from large PVC pipes and fueled by denatured alcohol.
“Malaki na po yung insidente natin involving boga po. As of yesterday po, nasa around 80 na po yung ating na-record na na-injure as a result po ng paggamit po ng boga. Nakakalungkot dahil mga minors yung mga biktima po dyan,” she said.
(The number of firecracker-related injuries due to boga is already high. As of yesterday, we have recorded around 80 people injured as a result of using boga. It’s sad because the victims are minors.)
Over 7,000 bogas have been confiscated so far, according to Fajardo.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday said a total of 163 cases of firecracker-related injuries have been recorded since December 22.
The PNP has also recorded 15 cases of indiscriminate dischargeof firearms ahead of the New Year 2025 revelry. Four people were injured due to indiscriminate firing, and one was wounded due to a stray bullet.
—Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News
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