Acting PNP Chief Plt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. inspects the firecracker stalls in Bocaue, Bulacan along with Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando. Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
With New Year’s Eve approaching, the Philippine National Police has ordered a stepped-up campaign against the sale and use of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
Acting PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said all police units have been instructed to carry out aggressive operations in their respective areas to curb the trade.
“I already directed all chiefs of police to conduct aggressive operations against illegal firecrackers in their respective areas of responsibility,” Nartatez said in a statement on Tuesday.
The intensified drive follows the nationwide confiscation of 144,866 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics recorded as of Monday, according to police data.
Nartatez said enforcement will involve both ground operations by territorial units and online monitoring by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
He also pointed to reports that “illegal firecrackers are openly sold” in Divisoria, Manila, which are now under investigation.