6 Chinese nabbed for selling illegal firecrackers

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - At least six Chinese nationals have been arrested for illegal sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Zamboanga peninsula this December as police and Department of Health (DOH) intensified campaign to prevent incidents related to the use of the dangerous devices, an official said.

Chief Superintendent Juanito Vaño, Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 director, said the six arrested Chinese businessmen were among the 10 violators arrested in the peninsula which included one in this city, two in Zamboanga Sibugay, three in Zamboanga del Norte and one in Zamboanga del Sur.

Names of the arrested Chinese nationals were not immediately made available but appropriate charges have been filed against the violators while cases have been prepared against nine retailers for selling prohibited firecrackers.

He said the arresting unit of the Firearms Explosives Security and Guard Sections 9 (FESAGS), local government Units (LGUs), and the DOH enforced Republic Act ( 7183, an act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. 

The arrest of the Chinese national in this city came as the city had implemented the total ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices. A similar ban was also implemented in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Vaño said the law enforcement unit also confiscated several kinds of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices amounting to more than P1 million.

“If ever we cannot arrest them these remaining days of December 2013, we will still pursue them next year,” Vaño said.