Seized explosives made for terrorists

CEBU, Philippines —  After the arrest of two individuals last Sunday for allegedly selling explosive devices in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 is further investigating the manufacturer of these devices.

Police Col. Peter Tagtag Jr., the new Regional Chief of CIDG-7, said that his team and the Armed Forces of the Philippines noticed that the explosive devices confiscated in the buy-bust operation last Sunday have the same design as those bombs reportedly used by the Communist Terrorist Groups.

The police arrested Elmer Santos, 60, and Ernesto Garcia Jr., 48, who are temporarily residing in Talisay City, but are natives of Luzon.

The authorities recovered 75 bundles of detonating cords with blasting caps, as well as 26 pieces of TNT chargers from the duo.

The police operation is their third attempt on the suspects, after spending more than a month of surveillance activities against them.

Those who were arrested first claimed that the explosives they got were used for fishing.

“Yung design ng na-confiscate anti-personnel.  So, most probably, base dun sa tactical interrogation natin doon sa tao, gagawa sila base dun sa orders ng mga buyers. So, pwede silang magbenta din sa mga fishermen, pero doon sa na-confiscate kasi yung design ng ginawa nilang bomba anti-personnel, against sa government forces,” said Tagtag.

Those arrested will face charges of violation of Republic Act 9516 or illegal possession, manufacture, dealing in, acquisition or disposition of firearms, ammunition or explosives, which is a non-bailable offense.

Tagtag said the materials were allegedly purchased from authorized dealers and purchasers.

The police said they will not stop in monitoring groups that operate similar illegal activities in the city. — GAN (FREEMAN)