NBI holds container vans with explosives bound for Cebu

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) stopped yesterday the loading of four container vans of explosive materials on a Cebu-bound ship after the shipper failed to present both authorization from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a clearance from the Philippine Coast Guard and the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) to transport the material.

Regional Director Reynaldo Esmeralda of NBI-Special Task Force said three 20-footer vans carried a permit to transport from the Philippine National Police but had no clearance from the Coast Guard and the Marina.

On the other hand, the 10-footer van No. 4 had a clearance from the Coast Guard and the Marina but had no PNP permit to transport, he added.

However, Esmeralda said the shipper was able to show a permit from the PNP’s Explosives Ordnance Division allowing the importation of the explosives and their paraphernalia.

The four vans contained 1,500 dynamite sticks, 372,087 kilos of ammonium nitrate, 7,500 pieces of electric blasting caps (EBC), 7,500 pieces of non-EBC, 3,750 connectors, 375,000 pieces of ordinary blasting caps, 375,000 meters of safety fuse and 75,000 meters of detonating cord, he added.

Esmeralda said the four container vans are being held at the North Harbor in Manila until the shipper is able to present all the required permits from the PNP, the Coast Guard and the Marina.

The explosives, which were reportedly for quarrying, have been confirmed as a legitimate shipment, he added.

Esmeralda said he immediately dispatched agents to the North Harbor to confirm the information that a large quantity of explosive materials was being transported from Batangas to Naga, Cebu.

NBI agents and Manila policemen, headed by Superintendent Rodolfo Llorca, went to the North Harbor after receiving information about the shipment at around 2 p.m. yesterday. — Evelyn Macairan