BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
What seemed like a simple coffee date at a café in Baguio City, turned out to be a buy-bust operation.
The target was this 22-year-old man, allegedly an online seller of fireworks.
When the operatives from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) of the Cordillera posed as buyers and exchanged money for fireworks, the suspect tried to escape but failed.
According to the suspect, he knew that what he was doing was illegal, but…
PMAJ. Annie Carmel Comising, Team Leader – Baguio City Cyber Response Team; RACU Cordillera, stated, “This suspect is a college student. According to him, he was selling fireworks to help with his allowance and tuition.”
The police recovered 10 pieces of Kingkong fireworks, 200 pieces of 5-Star fireworks, 10 pieces of Whistle Bomb, 30 pieces of Kwitis, 10 pieces of Lucis, and 9 assorted Fountain fireworks from the suspect.
They also found 3,500 pesos, which was used in the transaction.
According to the suspect, he purchased the fireworks online.
“The fireworks he was selling were also bought online. He would order from a supplier, and they would be delivered or shipped to Baguio,” Comising added.
When asked for documents, the suspect was unable to provide any to the authorities.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), selling any type of fireworks online is prohibited.
This is also banned under Executive Order No. 28, Series of 2017, Republic Act No. 7183 (Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnic Devices), as well as Baguio City Ordinance No. 53, Series of 2009 (Firecracker Ban of the City).
The suspect has been charged with violating Republic Act 7183 and Executive Order No. 28.
