AFP shares same view with PNP on bulk of explosive chemicals, devices seized in SurSur

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jun 5): AFP shares same view with PNP on bulk of explosive chemicals, devices seized in SurSur

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has expressed the same view with the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Surigao del Sur about the bulk of explosive chemicals and other devices seized in Barangay Liatimco, Lianga town over a week ago.

Lt. Col. Ignatius Patrimonio, Commander of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion (2SRB), whose headquarter in Barangay St. Christine lies in the same town with the barangay where the rare “finds” were seized, also gave more weight on the probability that such voluminous supplies of explosive chemicals and other materials are being used in the manufacture of “landmines and other improvised explosive devices (IED).”

Patrimonio contentiously said that there is no illegal mining activity nearby in their location, adding also that as far as illegal fishing is concerned, such is a remote possibility due to the absence of “wick” as reported.

Right now, he said, that they have already started to coordinate with their counterparts in the PNP about the incident.

It will be recalled that on May 25, at about 3:30 p.m., a police operation was jointly conducted by Lianga Municipal Police Station (MPS) led by Deputy Chief of Police (DCOP) Insp. Roy Licayan;  Surigao del Sur Criminal Investigation and Detection Team (SDSCIDT) headed by PCI Arvin Montenegro;  Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) led by PCI Greggie Pimentel;  and, SDS Police Provincial Office (SDSPPO) also led by PSI Manolo Andrew Caoile  in Purok 2 and 3 at Barangay Liatimco, Lianga town by virtue of Search Warrant No. L-SW-04-14 issued by Executive Judge Alfredo Jalad of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 28 against respondents Bebot Espuerta, Daday Abunado, ang Roberto “Talok” Consigna for alleged violation of Presidential Decree 1866 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives as amended by Republic Act (R.A.) 8294 and further amended by R.A. 10591 and R.A. 9516.

However, Officer-In-Charge (OIC) Provincial Director P/SSupt. NarciscoVerdadero lamented that among the three subjects of the search warrant, only Espuerta, who was later identified as Arturo Andohuyan Espuerta, was nabbed while Abunado and Consigna eluded arrest.

But in their respective residences, S/Supt. Verdadero pointed out that the search and seizure yielded lots of blasting caps, wires, detonating cords, match sticks, and a total of 129.7 kilograms of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO). 

A Smith & Wesson .357 Revolver with a defaced serial number loaded with five live ammunition was also found at the Abunado residence, he added.

With such a big haul, Verdadero admitted eyeing highly suspicious activities considering the history of the place being an NPA-influenced area which Patrimonio agreed, saying that the reported “IEDs might be used against state forces.”

http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=1741401949064