The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) took down 115 online platforms selling illegal firecrackers.
The latest data from the ACG showed these include 59 Facebook pages, 54 X (formerly Twitter) accounts, one website, and one account in audio streaming app Spotify.
About 208 other online platforms are under monitoring.
Meanwhile, acting ACG chief, Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang, said they are intensifying cyber patrol activities in going after those engaged in the illegal activity.
“Pagka meron tayong nakitang violation, we will request for a take down of these pages. Meron naman talaga tayong nakikita, in fact ang ating mga cyber patrollers meron mga sinusubmit na reports dito. Alalahanin natin na ito ay paglabag sa ating batas at my kaakibat na fines and imprisonment,” Yang said in a press briefing on Thursday.
Republic Act (RA) 7183 or An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices penalizes the sale of illegal firecrackers with fines ranging from P20,000 to P30,000 and imprisonment of up to one year.
Meanwhile, the use of online platforms in this illegal activity is a violation of RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
From December 6 to 26, the ACG has carried out eight operations against the online sale of banned firecrackers which resulted in the arrest of 10 persons and the seizure of firecrackers worth P76,400. (PNA)