140 sacks of explosive materials seized in Cavite

Carmona, Cavite — Police seized 140 sacks of ammonium nitrate, a chemical component used in making explosives, at a checkpoint here Wednesday morning.

Superintendent Leo Francisco, chief of the Special Operations Group of the Cavite Police Office, said two suspects, including a policeman were arrested when they were flagged down in an intersection along Governor’s Drive here at around 11:45 am.

Charged with illegal possession of explosives were Jovito Berido and PO3 Nixon Ilagan of the 402nd Police Mobile Group in Batangas.

Investigators said the suspects were on board a passenger-type jeep, with license plate DKA-966, when authorities received a tip from an informant on the alleged shipment of chemicals from Batangas to Cavite.

Probers said the chemicals were stacked underneath a pile of charcoal to conceal the delivery. It is under the name of Monte-Vil Trading of Taysan, Batangas and was to be delivered to a still unidentified recipient.

"Based on our initial investigation, the chemicals would be used for illegal fishing in the coastal communities of Tanza, Cavite," Francsico told The Star.

The two suspects are undergoing investigation at the Cavite Provincial Police Office for proper case disposition.