Manila, Dec. 15 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its campaign against the illegal manufacture and online sale of prohibited firecrackers to prevent injuries and fatalities during the holiday revelries.

At a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday, Col. Rex Buyucan, chief of the Explosive Management Division of the Firearms and Explosives Office, said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group has intensified cyber-patrolling to track down sellers of banned firecrackers on various online platforms.

Buyucan said several arrests have already been made in recent weeks as part of the operation.

He added that law enforcement efforts are being further strengthened in the days leading up to the New Year, when demand for fireworks tradi...