Explosives, counterfeit money seized in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Combined marine and police elements raided a stilt safe house and arrested two suspects engaged in counterfeiting Malaysian currency in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, a military official said.

The special intelligence team from the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1 (MBLT) and police arrested father and son Jamiri and Radjib Hadjula, both residents of Barangay Lamion.

Armed Forces Southern Command Spokesman Lt. Col. Renoir Pascua said the raiding team confiscated from the suspects sacks of ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, one-half gallon of sulfuric acid, blasting caps, assorted firearms and ammunitions of different calibers.

Pascua added that Radjib Hadjula was not only engaged in dealing explosive chemicals but also in counterfeiting Malaysian currency.

It was not immediately reported how much counterfeit Malaysian notes were confiscated from the suspects but the team also seized from them a computer set, copies of scanned Malaysian currency and Malaysian Ringit bills including the marked money used in the operation.

The Philippine Navy is now intensifying its naval patrol operations in the area.

Navy Flag Officer in Command, Vice Admiral Ernesto De Leon said the arrest of the suspects was the product of good naval intelligence and public relations. – With Mike Frialde