6 nabbed for selling banned firecrackers

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Police District (MPD) arrested and charged six people for allegedly selling banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Divisoria yesterday.

Those charged with violation of Republic Act 7183 or the law regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices were Arman Tapias, 18; Francis Santos, 26; Carlos Monrayo, 18; Richard Santiago, 38; Renato Reyes, 35; and Veronica Samonte, 18. Additional charges of obstruction were also filed against them for unregulated vending in areas not specified by the local government, according to Chief Inspector Froilan Uy, chief of the MPD’s General Assignment Section.

Manila policemen, led by Senior Inspector William Santos, raided Divisoria market following reports that banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics were being sold there.

Several vendors, however, protested the confiscation of their wares, which they said were “not dangerous” and allowed by law.

Others said they were authorized to sell firecrackers as long as they give “grease money” to ranking police officials. They said a certain “Lorie” was their “go-between,” and that they had already struck a deal as early as October.

Lorie is reportedly the liaison of alleged “firecracker king” Robert Cheng and his brother, Vicente.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay ordered an investigation into the reports to unmask the police officials who allegedly transacted a deal with the Cheng brothers.

Uy said the banned firecrackers for sale were smuggled from China but labeled as “made in Bulacan.” – Nestor Etolle