DECEMBER 31, 2025 — More than 26,000 pieces of banned firecrackers and pyrotechnics, valued at roughly P1.4 million, are scheduled for destruction in Rizal province on January 7, following a sweeping holiday crackdown across Metro Manila.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) confirmed the seizure, with Director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin personally inspecting the cache at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig. The haul included thousands of dangerous devices confiscated from different police districts: 19,310 pieces from the Southern Police District, 1,694 from the Northern Police District, 2,252 from the Eastern Police District, 2,594 from Quezon City, 250 from Manila, and 506 from the Civil Security Unit.

Authorities reported that 11 individuals were arrested for selling the prohibited items. 

The crackdown comes amid rising concerns over injuries linked to firecracker use. 

The high price of a loud New Year

Fireworks that fail to meet safety standards can cause severe burns, permanent disability, or even death. The destruction of the seized stockpile may prevent further harm, but the persistence of underground sales shows how difficult it is to stamp out the practice entirely.

For ordinary Filipinos, the danger is not abstract. Families celebrating the New Year face the risk of accidents that can turn festivities into emergencies. The public is left to weigh tradition against safety, and many are asking whether the thrill of firecrackers is worth the cost of lives and limbs.

(Image: Philippine News Agency)