3 caught selling illegal pyrotechnics

DAGUPAN CITY — As the countdown to the New Year draws near, police in Dagupan City, Pangasinan are cracking down hard on illegal firecrackers, making sure celebrations stay safe and spark-free.

In separate operations on Saturday, three individuals were arrested for violating Republic Act 7183, the law regulating the sale, manufacture, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnics. The arrests were part of an intensified campaign by the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1).

Around 7:50 p.m. in Sitio Silungan, Barangay Bonuan Binloc, a joint team from Police Station 6 and the Criminal Investigation Unit, led by PCPT Rommel R. Dulay, carried out an entrapment operation. They arrested 27-year-old James Casido Magsano, who was found with a stash of explosive devices, including a “Super Dark Bomb,” a “Bomb Pla-Pla,” six “Whistle Bomb Jumbo,” eight C2 bombs, one dynamite, and eight small dark bombs. Authorities said the transaction had been arranged via GCash. Magsano was brought to the Dagupan City Police Station for documentation and filing of charges.

Just half an hour later, at 8:20 p.m. in Barangay Bacayao Norte, operatives from the Criminal Investigation Unit and Police Station 2, supervised by PCPT Eric C. de la Cruz, conducted a buy-bust that nabbed 39-year-old tricycle drivers Marvin and Michael Venaday Gutierrez. The brothers allegedly sold three bundles of “kwitis” — about 300 pieces — to a police poseur-buyer for P2,100 in marked money. Police also recovered suspected explosive powders in black, yellow-green, and white, along with raw materials and paraphernalia used for illegal firecracker manufacturing.

The PNP emphasized that these arrests are part of an ongoing push to prevent firecracker-related injuries, fires, and other hazards during the holidays. Charges under RA 7183 are being prepared against the suspects.

“Every illegal firecracker we take off the streets is a potential tragedy prevented,” police said, reminding residents to celebrate safely and legally this New Year.