Chinese national arrested in Zambo Sibugay for illegal sale of firecrackers

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Wednesday/Dec. 18) -– The police here on Wednesday arrested a Chinese national in an entrapment and confiscated some P.5 million worth of illegally-sold firecrackers and pyrotechnic products in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

Chief Insp. Ariel Huesca, chief of the regional Firearms, Explosives, Security Agency and Guards Section (FESAGS), said the entrapment operation was carried out around 6 p.m. Tuesday at 168 Mega Commercial in Barangay Poblacion, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Zamboanga Sibugay Police Director Senior Supt. Robert Bahian identified the arrested suspect as a certain “Si Bahya Chang,” a Chinese national.

“We are now campaigning for zero firecrackers this Christmas to avoid injuries, especially during the New Year’s Eve revelry,” Bahian said.

Huesca added the entrapment was carried out following reports that the suspect was selling firecrackers and pyrotechnic products even without business permit from the municipal government.

He said the municipal government has banned the sale of firecrackers and pyrotechnic products this year. 

The suspect is detained at the headquarters while a case for violation of Republic Act 7183, an act regulating the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices is being readied against him.