2 caught with 6 sacks of dynamite ingredient

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected members of a group engaged in the illegal manufacture of dynamites used in blast fishing were arrested with six sacks of ammonium nitrate in Navotas City Sunday afternoon.

Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ladao, Northern Police District (NPD) director, identified the suspects as Ricardo Garcia, 30, a resident of Barangay San Jose; and an 18-year-old boy identified only as Rene, of Barangay Sipac, both in Navotas City.

The suspects were apprehended in Barangay Sipac, a coastal village in Navotas, while transporting six sacks of ammonium nitrate in a tricycle driven by Garcia at around 2 p.m., based on a tip.

The two denied any involvement in the manufacture of explosives used in blast fishing.

“I was plying for passengers when Rene told me if I am willing to pick up a cargo in Blumentritt in Manila for P150. I agreed without knowing they were illegal,” Garcia said.

Rene said a certain Len-Len paid him P50 to help transport the six sacks to Barangay Sipac, but refused to answer when asked of his relationship to Len-Len and where they were supposed to deliver the supplies.

Police said each sack of ammonium nitrate is worth more than P3,000 and a small-time dynamite maker could not easily purchase six sacks.