Troops intercept explosive materials in Sulu

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Government troops apprehended a private vehicle carrying explosive materials while trying to slip through a military checkpoint on Sunday in Indanan town in Sulu, military officials said here.

The troops seized 50 kilos of ammonium nitrate, a chemical fertilizer that is commonly used as a bomb making component, 52 pieces of blasting caps and two meters of fuse aboard a Toyota Tamaraw in Barangay Tagbak following intelligence tips.

Lt. Col. Renoir Pascua, information chief of the Southern Command, reported that the banned items were allegedly owned by a certain Paliling Sambiling, a resident of Kalinggalang Caluang town.

The military, however, is still investigating where the materials would be used.

Pascua said authorities in the area are now tracing the origin of the chemicals.

The banned chemicals are discreetly sold to fishermen for blast fishing but terrorist groups like the Abu Sayyaf also use ammonium nitrate to fashion bombs.