Cops warn sellers of illegal firecrackers

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines— Police yesterday warned pyrotechnics manufacturers and retailers that plainclothes officers would be deployed to arrest sellers of illegal firecrackers as Christmas draws near.

Senior Superintendent Joel Orduna, director of the Bulacan provincial police office, issued the warning following a dialogue with pyrotechnics retailers in Bocaue town.

Policemen – along with officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of the Interior and Local Government – inspected pyrotechnics stores in the province.

Orduna said his men seized oversized and illegal firecrackers during a raid on a clandestine factory in the province last week.

He said manufacturers of illegal firecrackers are in cahoots with retailers, who in turn sell their products.

Orduna said he ordered the deployment of plainclothes officers who will pose as buyers of illegal pyrotechnics.

 The Philippine National Police yesterday launched its “Iwas Paputok” campaign to reduce firecracker-related deaths and injuries during the holidays.