Heavier penalties are to be meted out to online firecracker sellers than to those offering the same in-person, said the Philippine National Police - Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG).
In an exclusive interview on DZRH Stories, PNP-ACG Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Wallen Arancillo reiterated that the sale of illegal firecrackers was a violation of Republic Act 7183, or an Act Regulating the Sale, Manufacture, Distribution, and Use of Firecrackers and Other Pyrotechnic Devices, and the punishment for online merchants is “one degree higher.”
“Ang kanilang penalty ay magiging one degree higher or mas mabigat kumpara sa tradisyunal na pagbebenta nung mga illegal firecrackers, since ginamitan ito ng ICT or Information and Communications Technology,” she stated.
(Their penalty will be one degree higher or heavier in comparison to the traditional sale of illegal firecrackers, since ICT or Information and Communications Technology was used.)
If convicted, offenders may face from 6 years and one day to up to 12 years in prison.
Arancillo also clarified that selling firecrackers online, whether illegal or legal, constitutes a violation. She gave the following reasons why:
1) No permit
“Una, wala silang permit na hinahawakan. Like for example, from the BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection, referring to the Fire Safety Inspection Clearance), LGU (local government unit), or any other government agency na nagre-require ng safety measures ng mga taong mamimili,” she stated.
(First, they do not hold permits. Like for example, from the BFP, LGU, or any other government agency requiring safety measures for buyers.)
2) Online sellers may turn out to be scammers
“Pangalawa, ‘di po natin alam, mga scammers lang rin po sila, na nagpo-pose online na nagbebenta kuno ng mga firecrackers na ito, and once na nakapagbayad na kayo, ib-block na kayo,” she went on.
(Second, we wouldn’t know, but they might just be scammers too, posing online as though they are selling firecrackers. And once you pay, they’ll block you.)
3) Firecracker acquisition
“Also ‘di natin alam kung saan nila kinuha at ginawa itong firecrackers, kaya isipin natin lagi yung safety natin.”
(Also, we don’t know where they got or how they made these firecrackers, so we must always think of our safety.)
Arancillo explained that sellers with legitimate, physical stores may post online. However, firecracker deliveries are prohibited.
“Pag may bibili, sila po mismo ang pupunta doon sa store mo at kukuha nung mga bibilhin nilang firecrackers,” she said.
(If someone buys, they themselves should go to your store and get the firecrackers they want to buy.)
The government has set protocols for the proper transportation of firecrackers, as these may be set off by heat and close proximity to fire.
The ACG spokesperson also noted that some sellers of legal firecrackers online would offer illegal ones when messaging privately with buyers, according to reports from cyber patrollers.
She reported that since December 6, 13 individuals have so far been arrested for the online sale of illegal firecrackers, with more than 35,000 items seized, including “boga” and “kabase,” collectively valued at over ₱100,000.
