Over ₱1.4 million worth of illegal firecrackers, totaling 26,606 pieces, were seized across Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported.

NCRPO Regional Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin personally inspected the confiscated items at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City on Wednesday, December 31.

According to the NCRPO Civil Security Unit (CSU), the firecrackers came from various police districts as follows:

• Southern Police District: ₱620,222

• Northern Police District: ₱467,521

• Manila Police District: ₱124,877.50

• Eastern Police District: ₱121,675

• Quezon City Police District: ₱42,297

• CSU: ₱38,952

All confiscated firecrackers are scheduled for destruction on January 7 in Rizal Province as part of the campaign against illegal pyrotechnics.

Maj. Gen. Aberin urged the public to coordinate with local police, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) K-9 unit for the proper disposal of unused firecrackers. He emphasized that handling them without proper knowledge can be dangerous.

“Ang mensahe natin sa publiko ay i-surrender na lang sa inyong kapulisan or sa Bureau o sa EOD ‘yung mga firecrackers na hindi niyo pasasabugin, huwag niyong sarilin na i-dispose ito kasi may mga prsoeso tayong sinusundan,” Aberin said.

He also encouraged residents to use safer alternatives for New Year celebrations, such as banging pots and pans, instead of open pipe mufflers and banned pyrotechnic devices.