CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet December 31- Combined police operatives seized a total of 900 banned firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials during separate operations regionwide recently in order to ensure the peaceful celebration of the New Year and to prevent loss of lives and damage to properties as a result of the use of the illegal firecrackers.
In Abra, Senior Superintendent Albertlito S. Gaarcia, director of the Abra provincial police office, said 71 packs and 35 pieces of prohibited firecrackers were confiscated along the road of Brgy. Talogtog, Dolores, Abra by the personnel of provincial operation and plans branch led by Superintendent Reguel B. Sta. Maria.
Garcia cited the items confiscated were 53 small packs Pop-pop;1 pack Spirit Whip; 6 small packs Piccolo; 1 small packs Pili Cracker; 5 pieces Roman Candle; 6 pieces Kwitis;1 pack Happy Ball ;9 packs Sparklers ;and 24 pieces Special Lusis which were being sold by a group of minors who later scampered to different directions upon sensing the approaching operatives.
In Mountain Province, Senior Superintendent Oliver Enmodias, director of the Mountain Province Provincial Police Office, said 9 packs, 12 pieces, 4 bundles and 6 boxes of assorted prohibited firecrackers were likewise confiscated from five vendors who escaped upon noticing the arrival of the operatives at the Bontoc public market.
He said confiscated items from Flouquet Peyes Geronilla, 39, businesswoman, a resident of Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province were: 3 boxes “Pop Pop;” 8 packs “Whistling Moon Traveller;” 3 bundles Fireworks colored green; and 1 bundle of opened Fireworks colored green. From Nancy Engngeg Baloran, 34, a resident of Public Market, Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province, seized were 1 piece “Pop Pop”; 1 pack of “Pop Pop”; 1 pack “Whistling Moon Travellers;” and 6 packs “Crossfire;” 3 boxes “Crossfire”. From Monaliza Kiaki Olod, 34, a resident of Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province, confiscated were 52 packs “Pop-Pop;” 10 packs “Leopard King Great;” 7 packs “Crossfire 50 shots;” 8 packs “With Crackling Tail Original” 25 shots; and 1 pack “Crossfire” 100 shots. While from Michelle Astudillo, 24, a resident of Omfeg, Bontoc Ili, Bontoc, Mountain Province; and Lito Jose Ronquillo, 47, a resident of Loc-ong, Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province, confiscated were 1 pack of “Pop Pip Pop;” and 1 piece “Pop Pop.”
In Kalinga,Senior Superintendent Victor Wanchakan, director of the Kalinga provincial police office, said 6, 300 pieces and 85 packs of assorted prohibited firecrackers were confiscated by the joint operatives of Tabuk City Police Station, BFP Tabuk and POSO inside the Dagupan Public Market.
He said confiscated were 100 pieces Blue Thunder Fireworks; 5,400 pieces Five Star; 800 pieces OG; and 85 packs of Picolo. The vendors/peddlers fled immediately upon sensing the arrival of the authorities leaving the prohibited firecrackers.
Meanwhile, all recovered items were are now under the custody of the concerned operating units for documentation and proper disposition.
“Instead of using firecrackers, we urge the public to use torotot (horns) to avoid any untoward incidents while we are observing the New Year’s Eve,” PRO-COR public information officer Superintendent Cherry Fajardo said.
