Learning from Social Media, 11 Children in Ponorogo Found Assembling Firecrackers

PONOROGO - Police from the Sukorejo Police Station raided a house in Gelanglor Village, Sukorejo District, Ponorogo Regency, East Java, which was suspected of being used as a place to make unmanned air balloons and assembly of firecrackers.

The raid was carried out after the police received a report from residents who suspected activities at the house. When officers arrived at the location, a number of materials and equipment were found that were used to make air balloons and mix firecrackers.

From the location, the police secured a large plastic that had been strung into an unmanned air balloon with a length of about 15 meters. In addition, officers also seized dozens of firecracker shells, gunpowder, and various tools used to mix explosives.

Ironically, the makers of the balloons and firecrackers were still children. A total of 11 children were involved in the activity and most of them were still in elementary school (SD) and middle school (SMP).

Sukorejo Police Chief, Agus Tri Cahyo, said the disclosure of this case began with the suspicion of one of the parents who found that his child often received online shopping packages with payment on the spot or cash on delivery (COD).

After being traced, the parents found that the children were mixing explosives and preparing to make balloons. The information was then conveyed to the village apparatus and forwarded to the police.

"The parents of one of the children were suspicious because their children often received online packages. When checked, it turned out that they were mixing explosives and preparing air balloons. The information was then conveyed to the village apparatus and forwarded to us," said Agus, Saturday, March 7.

According to Agus, after checking the location, the police found explosives that had been mixed, a number of raw materials, and plastic that would be used as air balloons. He added, the children made air balloons and firecrackers self-taught by learning from videos on social media.

To buy the ingredients, they joined forces by setting aside school allowances. Each child on average contributes around Rp. 30,000 to buy fireworks online.

"Their average age is still very young, even some are under 11 years old and some are still in elementary school," said Agus.

Because all the perpetrators are still minors, the police did not carry out legal proceedings. They were only given guidance and asked to apologize to their parents in front of the officers.

Meanwhile, all evidence in the form of unmanned balloons, firecracker shells, to gunpowder that has been ready to be mixed was secured at the Sukorejo Police.

The police also appealed to parents to increase supervision of children's activities, especially when they are outside the house or when accessing the internet, to prevent similar incidents from happening again.