THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) identified a businessman known as “Botyok” from Surigao del Norte as the individual responsible for setting off fireworks in the NHA Bangkal area to welcome the New Year.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect has returned to his hometown, but investigations into the incident continue.
The DCPO vowed to intensify its probe, citing violations of a city ordinance and Republic Act 7183, which regulates the sale, manufacture, distribution, and use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.
The incident first came to light on January 1, 2025, when police discovered signs of a firecracker explosion on the road in NHA Bangkal. Further investigation on January 2 revealed two witnesses who clarified that the fireworks were set off in a riprap area near a creek, about 10 to 15 meters from the initial site.
According to the witnesses, at around 12:50 a.m. on January 1, “Botyok” was seen with a backpack in the riprap area. He lit a pyrotechnic device, resulting in a fireworks display. The witnesses reportedly tried to stop him, but he refused.
A video of the incident later posted online, drew mixed reactions from Dabawenyos.
Police recovered fragments of the firecracker at the scene, which will be used as evidence. Reports also confirmed that the suspect left for Surigao later that morning.
Davao City has strictly prohibited firecrackers for over a decade. The “Firecracker and Other Pyrotechnic Devices Ordinance,” originally implemented in 2001, was reinforced in 2017 during Rodrigo Duterte’s tenure as mayor. DEF