MANILA, Philippines — Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. tasked the agency to intensify its crackdown on illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices ahead of the New Year revelries. The PNP previously said 144,866 illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices had been confiscated by police across the country amid the holiday season as of Monday. “I already directed all chiefs of police to conduct aggressive operations against illegal firecrackers in their respective areas of responsibility,” Nartatez said in a statement Tuesday, a day before New Year’s Eve. READ: Injuries from firecrackers now at 96 – PNP […]... Keep on reading: New Year 2026: Nartatez orders crackdown vs illegal firecrackers