10 kilos of explosives seized in Navotas

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents, beefed up by the Navotas police, arrested 14 people found in possession of some 10 kilos of ammonium nitrate in the coastal town before dawn yesterday.

Assistant Regional Director Oscar Embido, of the NBI-Anti-Organized Crime Division (AOCD), said 50 operatives from their unit and PCP3 of the Navotas police raided the house of Pablo Obeja, of Pitong Gatang, Sipac, Navotas. Obeja was not among those arrested.

Apprehended were 14 workers, namely: Anthony Obeja, Rogelio Guiuan, Christopher Abasola, Allan Galit, Roberto Abad, Alfredo Chachero, Ronaldo Ligutan, Fernando Penaranda, Ronald Nuevo, Ariel Lebusta, Randy Abanes, Michael Verzosa, Marlon Verzosa and Pastora Verzosa.

Embido said the suspects face charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1866, covering the manufacture and possession of explosives.

Lawmen seized an estimated 10 kilos of ammonium nitrate, blasting caps and a still undetermined amount of sulfur and potassium nitrate.

"We will conduct a manhunt against Pablo Obeja and another suspect. There is already a existing warrant of arrest against him also based on the same charges," Embido said.

The bureau claimed Obeja has been engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling explosives for 10 years.

The suspect allegedly sells the items in Parañaque City and in the provinces of Cavite and Bataan. A 12-ounce bottle of explosives is sold for P50 to 60 and an 18-ounce bottle goes for P120. A kilo costs P2,500.

The NBI-AOCD conducted surveillance operations after receiving intelligence information that Obeja and his workers were manufacturing explosives.

After a series of test buys, the NBI secured a search warrant from Manila Judge Felixberto Olalia.

"While the explosives are mostly used for illegal fishing, they can also be used for other purposes. We still have to determine if the syndicate enjoys the protection of a government official or a police officer," Embido said.

As the raiders arrived at the house at around 2 a.m., Obeja escaped by climbing out the window and jumping into the water which was 10 to 15 feet deep.

Workers also threw some of the explosives into the water. – With Jerry Botial, Pete Laude