CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan — Police arrested three individuals engaged in the illegal manufacture of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in separate police operations in the towns of Sta. Maria and Bocaue.
Based on the report on Wednesday, P/Col. Angel Garcillano, Officer-in-Charge of Bulacan Police Provincial Office said at about 1 p.m. on Monday personnel of Sta. Maria MPS acted on a tip from a concerned citizen regarding an illegal fireworks operation along Fausto Street, Brgy. Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria. Responding officers caught two women in the act of manufacturing firecrackers without the necessary permit.
The suspects were identified as “Rhea,” 31, and “Au,” 33, both residents of Brgy. Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Recovered from their possession were three (3) boxes of unfinished “Kwitis” firecrackers valued at P8,000 and one (1) drill used in manufacturing.
A criminal complaint for violation of Republic Act 7183, or the “Law on Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices,” is being prepared against the arrested suspects before the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor, Malolos City, Bulacan.
Meanwhile, on the same day at about 4:30 a.m., operatives of Bocaue police arrested @ “John John”, 22, a fireworks maker and resident of Sitio Bihunan, Brgy. Biñang 1st, Bocaue, Bulacan.
The arrest stemmed from information received from a concerned citizen regarding the illegal production of “baby rockets” in the area. Upon verification, law enforcers caught the suspect in flagrante delicto while manufacturing fireworks without a valid license from the PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).
Confiscated from the suspect were 23 kilograms of potassium chlorate, cylinder parts of baby rockets, and several finished products. Appropriate charges for violation of Sections 4, 5, and 7 of R.A. 7183 are being filed against him.
P/Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. commended P/Col. Garcillano and the operating units for their diligence and responsiveness, emphasizing that PRO3 will continue to implement the PNP Focused Agenda of Acting Chief, PNP P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., particularly on Enhanced Managing Police Operations to ensure public safety and prevent firecracker-related incidents as the holiday season approaches.
“We remain steadfast in our efforts to protect our communities by preventing illegal activities that pose grave dangers to life and property. Let these arrests serve as a warning that we will not tolerate any violation of our laws on explosives and pyrotechnics,” P/BGen. Peñones Jr. said. (UnliNews Online)
