120 kilos of explosives seized

Some 120 kilos of ammonium nitrate contained in four cardboard boxes were seized by elements of the Philippine Coast Guard the other day at the Manila North Harbor.

According to a report by the Task Force Sea Marshal of the Coast Guard Station in Manila, the chemicals were seized during a routine inspection of the MV Asuncion XI of the San Nicholas Shipping Lines while the vessel was docked at Pier 2.

The chemicals are used as fertilizer but are also an ingredient in the making of explosives .

The Coast Guard said the four cardboard boxes were found abandoned aboard the vessel. Initial investigation showed that the boxes were owned by a certain Tessie and were intended to be shipped to Coron, Palawan.

Field tests conducted by elements of the Task Force Sea Marshal also showed that the chemicals were already prepared for use in an explosive device.

According to the Coast Guard, this is the second time Task Force Sea Marshal had seized ammonium nitrate aboard MV Asuncion XI for this month alone. As part of its investigation, the Coast Guard has summoned the owner of the vessel, a certain Limuel Fabula, and the vessel’s major patron, Ramon Ibanez.

The seized chemicals are now in the custody of the Coast Guard-National Capital Region District Office.

The Coast Guard believes that the boxes containing the chemicals were about to be transferred to another vessel when they were discovered.

Investigators also believe that the chemicals will be used in the manufacture of explosive devices to be used in blast fishing.