More than 520,000 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics worth P2.4 million were confiscated on Tuesday, hours before Filipinos officially welcome the New Year, amid ongoing crackdown on the contraband nationwide, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
In an interview over the morning show of GMA network, PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Jean Fajardo reported that 19 individuals, including two minors, were apprehended in connection with these operations.
Fajardo also 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 and even paint thinners.
“Our incidents involving boga are already large. As of yesterday (Monday), we have recorded around 80 people who were injured as a result of using boga. It’s sad because the victims are minors,” she said.
Over 7,000 homemade cannons were confiscated by the police so far, according to Fajardo.
The PNP also recorded 15 cases of indiscriminate firing ahead of the New Year 2025 revelry. Four people were injured and one was hurt by a stray bullet.
