ILOILO City — The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) destroyed more than 7,300 confiscated illegal firecrackers and improvised cannons, locally known as boga, on Saturday, December 27, at Camp Gen. Martin Teofilo B. Delgado in Fort San Pedro here, as part of its intensified campaign to prevent injuries ahead of the New Year celebrations.
Led by PRO-6 director Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, the disposal operation involved 7,336 prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices and 81 boga, with a combined estimated value of P101,861, based on a consolidated inventory as of December 26.
The largest number of confiscated items came from the Regional Civil Security Unit 6, which seized 4,980 firecrackers. The Iloilo City Police Office followed with 1,254 firecrackers and one boga, while the Iloilo Police Provincial Office accounted for 710 firecrackers and 30 boga.
Additional seizures were reported by police units in Aklan, Capiz, and Guimaras.
PRO-6 Chief Regional Staff Police Colonel Jerome Afuyog said the early disposal of the seized items reflects the police’s proactive approach to public safety.
“We did not wait for New Year’s Day before conducting the disposal because our operations have been continuous, which allowed us to confiscate a large volume early,” Afuyog said.
He noted that firecracker-related injuries in Western Visayas have declined so far compared to last year.
“In 2024, we recorded 25 injuries caused by firecrackers and boga. As of now, we have recorded six cases this year, and there were no fatalities,” Afuyog said.
Most of the confiscated items were illegally manufactured and unlabeled, making them particularly dangerous. These included granada, kwitis, lolo thunder, dynamite big, and whistle bombs.
Afuyog reiterated his appeal to parents to closely supervise their children, noting that minors remain the most common victims of firecracker-related injuries.
“Allowing children to use illegal firecrackers is not an expression of love. Supervising them is the responsibility of parents,” he said.
He also reminded the public that local government units have designated areas for the use of legal firecrackers and urged residents to follow local regulations to avoid accidents.
PRO-6 said police patrols and enforcement operations will continue until New Year’s Day, with officers deployed across Western Visayas to prevent violations.
“If everyone works together — the police, LGUs [local government units], barangay officials, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and the public — we can ensure a safe and joyful New Year for everyone,” Afuyog said./PN
