December 31, 2025 - Authorities in Manila are investigating the death of a 12-year-old boy in Tondo after CCTV footage captured five men allegedly leaving behind a firecracker that later exploded and killed the child. The incident occurred on December 28 in Barangay 226, according to reports from GMA News and the Manila Police District (MPD).

The footage showed the group walking along Almeda Street, with one man carrying a green eco bag. In another clip, the men were seen placing an unidentified firecracker on Yuseco Street. They reportedly stopped motorists to light the explosive, but it failed to detonate. One of the men then poured water on it before attempting to ignite another device, which also did not go off.

More than 18 hours later, the victim, identified as Caezar Ruzcel Sarmiento, and a friend were seen in the same area. Barangay officials said the boys initially tried to light a firecracker but were reprimanded and moved elsewhere. Later, CCTV showed them crossing the street when the abandoned firecracker exploded, killing Sarmiento and critically injuring his companion.

The MPD confirmed that several persons of interest have been identified. Police Major Philipp Ines, MPD spokesperson, stated: “Nakikipag-coordinate na tayo dito. Meron na tayong mga person of interest dito. At titignan natin doon sa process ng pag-iimbestiga kung meron silang magiging criminal liability dito.” (“We are coordinating here. We already have persons of interest. We will see through the investigation process if they will have criminal liability.”).

Investigators are now working to trace the identities of the five men and determine their responsibility in the fatal incident. The tragedy has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of firecracker regulations, especially during the holiday season, when accidents involving pyrotechnics are most common.

This Was Not an Accident. Adults Left a Weapon Behind

Calling this tragedy an “accident” is the easiest way to avoid responsibility. It should not be done.

Five grown men allegedly handled fireworks, failed to ignite them, poured water on one, and then left it behind on a public street. That is not carelessness. That is reckless disregard for life. Firecrackers are explosives. Abandoning one in a neighborhood is no different from leaving a loaded weapon where children pass.

The boy did not create the danger. Adults did.

Too often, responsibility is shifted to children, parents, or fate. This case shows why that logic fails. Children explore. Children are curious. Adults are supposed to know better. When adults introduce danger into public spaces and walk away, they own the outcome.

This tragedy also exposes weak enforcement. Fireworks were handled openly, streets were blocked, and no one intervened until it was too late. Laws exist, but enforcement remains reactive, arriving only after a child is dead.

Justice here must be clear and firm. If the men who left that firecracker behind are identified, accountability should follow. Not warnings. Not excuses. Consequences.

If this is dismissed as a holiday mishap, the message is chilling. It tells people that reckless behavior has no cost until someone dies, and even then, blame can be diluted.

A child is dead because adults walked away from danger they created. That truth must not be softened.

Image from Tondo, Manila