2 suspects nabbed, 5 sacks of ammonium nitrate seized in Masbate

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 15, 2021): 2 suspects nabbed, 5 sacks of ammonium nitrate seized in Masbate (By Mar Serrano and Connie Calipay)

Police operatives have seized five sacks of ammonium nitrate while being loaded by two men into a motorized boat docked at the port in Milagros, Masbate Monday afternoon.

Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday said Nilo Mandaue, 51, a businessman, of Barangay Gilotongan, Cawayan town; and Joel Pacheco, 43, of Barangay Poblacion East in Milagros, were arrested in the operation.

"The suspects were caught in the act of loading the sacks of ammonium nitrate for transport to neighboring coastal towns in the province," she added.

Police believed the suspects were selling the chemical material that is used to produce improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and for illegal fishing practices.

Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, PRO5 regional director, said the arrest of the two suspects is in line with the government campaign against blast fishing, an illegal way of fishing that is rampant in the coastal waters of Masbate.

Ammonium nitrate is also used for agriculture fertilizers.

“Malawakan ang ginagawa nating operasyon at mobilisasyon ng ating mga tao sa Kabikolan upang matiyak ang pagkakahuli sa mga taong sangkot sa kahit na anong gawaing labag sa batas. Tayo ay nakatutok sa adhikain nating panatilihing maayos ang ating paligid ano mang oras at lugar. (It is a region-wide operation and mobilization that we are conducting to ensure the arrest of people who are engaged in illegal activities. We are focused on our advocacy to maintain a peaceful and orderly community)," Estomo said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1143754