Seized explosives meant for mining operations

DAVAO CITY — The cache of explosives, contained in a 20-foot container van, that was seized late Wednesday afternoon at the Sasa wharf here, was actually intended for mining operations at the Mt. Diwalwal gold-rush site and not for terrorist activities.

Seized were 150 bags of ammonium nitrate, 62,400 dynamite sticks, thousands of detonators and blasting caps and 50,000 meters of detonating cords, Chief Superintendent Eduardo Matillano, Southern Mindanao police director.

"What is clear here is that the items, even if they were intended for mining operations, were still illegally transported. The shipment violates the law," Matillano said.

The shipment was in violation of Section 2520 of the Tariff and Customs Code, particularly on the loading of explosives.

Matillano said nobody has come forward to claim the illegal shipment although there were indications that the consignee, RB Enterprises, was actually based in Tagum City, where some financiers of mining operations at Mt. Diwalwal are based.

The seized items were immediately brought to the regional police headquarters at Camp Catitipan after they were intercepted by a joint team of the Regional Mobile Group and the Bureau of Customs.

The container van was reportedly unloaded from M/V Ocean Hope of Oceanic Shipping Lines.

"But, of course, we also do not discount the possibility that if these explosives fall into the hands of terrorists, then they will have good use of them," Matillano said.