REACTING to the Christmas Day explosion at a house in Barangay Bacayao Norte that killed two persons and injured eight others, Mayor Belen Fernandez said the incident “was not a merrymaking, but a tragedy that must never be repeated.”

Fernandez stressed that after repeated warnings from authorities, there would be no compromise and no excuses for anyone caught possessing, selling, or manufacturing illegal firecrackers.

She issued the statement as three Dagupan City residents were charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office for violating Republic Act No. 7183 after illegal firecrackers and raw materials were seized in separate operations conducted by the Dagupan City Police Office (DCPO), led by Col. Orly Pagaduan, on the night of December 27.

RA 7183, which took effect on January 30, 1992, regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices. Violators face a fine ranging from ₱20,000 to ₱30,000, imprisonment of six months to one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

At around 7:50 p.m., DCPO Station 6, together with the City Intelligence Unit, conducted an entrapment operation that led to the arrest of a male suspect allegedly selling high-powered illegal firecrackers online and collecting payments through GCash.

Seized from the suspect were banned firecrackers, including Super Dark Bombs, Bomb Pla Pla, Jumbo Whistle Bombs, C2 Bombs, one piece of dynamite, and small Dark Bombs.

About 30 minutes later, personnel from the Criminal Intelligence Unit and Police Station 2 arrested two male suspects in a buy-bust operation for selling three bundles of baby rockets, also known as “kwitis,” estimated to be worth ₱2,100, comprising 300 pieces.

A follow-up search led to the discovery of a suspected illegal firecracker factory, where additional baby rockets, gunpowder, and other materials believed to be used in firecracker production were confiscated. All seized items were properly inventoried in the presence of witnesses.

All suspects were taken to the Region I Medical Center for a medical examination before being transferred to the DCPO headquarters for further investigation.

Fernandez renewed her appeal to residents to use horns or plastic trumpets instead of firecrackers, warning that exploding pyrotechnics endanger lives and can spark destructive fires.

She said the DCPO has intensified enforcement of the law to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of the Dagupan community. (Leonardo Micua)