Ched Rick Gatchalian

Arestado ang 10 indibidwal dahil sa pagbebenta umano ng mga ipinagbabawal na paputok online sa magkakahiwalay na operasyon sa Metro Manila at kalapit na probinsya. (📸: PNP-ACG)

Article (news)

10 nabbed for selling illegal firecrackers online

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176483181324520251204061252_9efe1ade-2d43-483a-977c-89553bd3b1e0_cropped_processed_by_imagy.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Ten individuals were arrested after authorities launched seven separate operations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces targeting the online sale of prohibited firecrackers. 📷༘ <em>PNP-ACG via Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Ten individuals were arrested after authorities launched seven separate operations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces targeting the online sale of prohibited firecrackers, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) reported.</p><p>According to the ACG, the operations stemmed from intensified cyber patrolling that uncovered suspects openly advertising and selling dangerous and highly explosive firecrackers on social media.</p><p>“All our units are really doing this campaign against online selling to ensure that the people are safe from this paputok na ipinagbabawal,” said Brig. Gen. Wilson Asueta, acting director of the PNP-ACG.</p><p>The first operation was conducted by the Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team (MDACT) on November 26, 2025, in Tondo, Manila.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/26/authorities-warn-public-vs-illegal-firecrackers-as-new-year-nears-1847">Authorities warn public vs illegal firecrackers as New Year nears; Bocaue vendors expect price hike in December</a></div><p>Two male suspects were arrested after offering P7,800 worth of illegal firecrackers online. </p><p>“We were able to research online that there&#x27;s a person selling firecrackers, King Kong saka ‘yung Kabase. So, our patrollers managed to transact with them,” Asueta said.</p><p>“Nagkaroon tayo ng police actions through entrapment operations. Nagkita sila, nag-meet up, then, nang magkabayaran, huli ‘yung ating mga suspect doon.”</p><p>The second operation followed on November 30, 2025, carried out by the Nueva Ecija Provincial Cyber Response Team (PCRT) in Cabanatuan City.</p><p>A 21-year-old man was arrested for selling P2,750 worth of illegal firecrackers.</p><p>“Sila ay distributor din. Actually, retailer pa ang dating nila because meron silang pinagkukunan na mas malaki. So we are monitoring on that and we already reported sa EPU at sa local police to monitor those manufacturing establishment para malaman nila kung ito ay authorized o hindi,” Asueta added.</p><p>Additional operations in Caloocan City, Cavite, and other nearby areas resulted in the confiscation of a total of over P75,000 worth of illegal firecrackers.</p><p>All seized items are now under police custody as evidence for filing charges.</p><p>Asueta stressed that selling firecrackers online is prohibited under any circumstance.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2024/12/19/3-arestado-sa-online-selling-ng-paputok-1540">3 arestado sa online selling ng paputok</a></div><p>“Basta online selling ng paputok, regardless ‘yan kung ay within the standard or with the authority, bawal po ‘yan.”</p><p>All ten suspects face charges for violating Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7183 (An Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices), in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012).</p><p>The PNP-ACG also reminded the public not to buy illegal firecrackers online, stressing the dangers and legal consequences.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hs7q5YZfp3Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zS-NNPcl4AQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Ten individuals were arrested after authorities launched seven separate operations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces targeting the online sale of prohibited firecrackers.</p>

Ten individuals were arrested after authorities launched seven separate operations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces targeting the online sale of prohibited firecrackers.