BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – The Philippine National Police led the destruction of confiscated illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices in Baguio City and the different Cordillera provinces on January 7, 2026 demonstrating the firm stand of the government against the sale and use of dangerous explosives.
In Baguio City, Police Cordillera Regional Office Deputy Regional Director for Administration Police Colonel Julio Lizardo, Baguio City Police Director PCol. Ruel Tagtag and Mayor Benjamin Magalong led the destruction of over 14,000 seized pyrotechnics at the Melvin Jones Grounds.
At Camp Major Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) officials spearheaded the disposal of 1,131 firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices, along with 72 units of improvised cannons locally known as “boga.”
A total of 304 confiscated and surrendered ‘boga’ were also destroyed by the Abra PPO along with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) at Camp Juan Villamor.
In Mountain Province, more than 500 confiscated and surrendered firecrackers across the province were disposed at Camp Geronimo F. Montes in Bontoc.
Disposal activity was also done at the Camp Gov. Elias K Bulut Sr. and Training Center in Apayao.
The confiscated prohibited firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices mostly from stalls with no permit to sell, were destroyed in accordance with established safety and disposal protocols.
The disposal activities done in coordination with the BFP and PNP Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Canine Units, were witnessed by police personnel, media, and some community members.
Abra PPO Provincial Director PCOL. Charles Domallig emphasized that the mass destruction is not only a ceremony but a firm stand of the PNP in implementing the full extent of law particularly the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
Magalong commended the police and other stakeholders for their active support in continuing efforts in ensuring public safety.
The Department of Health – Cordillera has recorded 45 fireworks-related injuries (FWRI) and one stray bullet incident in the region during the tracking period from December 21 to January 6, 2026.
Mountain Province remains the only province in the Cordillera that has a zero FWRI during the holiday season celebrations.
The province of Kalinga recorded the highest number of FWRI cases in the region with 18 cases, followed by Apayao with 11.
Abra recorded seven cases, Baguio City has four while Benguet and Ifugao have three cases each.
Benguet’s data include one case of stray bullet injury.
Of the total FWRI cases, there are 42 males and four females. Many of the victims are minors. The top causes of injuries are kwitis with 15 cases and boga with six. Whistle bomb and 5-Star had four cases each,dynamite with three, pla-pla with three, and Judas belt and bawang with one case each. The cause of six cases are still unknown firecrackers/fireworks.
Meanwhile, the Mountain Province PPO attributed the zero FWRI status to the sustained implementation of OPLAN Bandillo, supported by intensified information and education campaigns.
These efforts included the distribution of information, education, and communication materials, radio guesting, and continuous public reminders discouraging the use of firecrackers to prevent injuries, accidents, and damage to property.
The consistent messaging helped raise awareness on the dangers of fireworks and encouraged safer ways of celebrating the holiday season. **PIA CAR
