BUTUAN CITY – Police arrested five men for alleged illegal possession of explosives in a mountainous area here on Friday, August 9.
Police Regional Office 13-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer identified the suspects as Jod, 26; Jon, 53; Las, 47; Del, 49, and Mar, 53.
Acting on information from a concerned citizen in Purok 3, Barangay Don Francisco, this city, the Butuan City Police Office-Station 4, Butuan City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Butuan City Mobile Force Company proceeded to the area and nabbed the suspects while allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities.
Recovered from them were 1.6 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, six non-electric blasting caps, an 11.6-feet of time fuse, an improvised wooden flushing box and a wooden pan, a black basin, a screen with sand, a 100-meter electrical wire with socket, a blue container, three blue hoses with an estimated length of 30 meters each, and a shovel.
These were turned over to the Butuan City Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit for proper disposition.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Alan M. Nazarro said the suspects who face appropriate cases attributed the success of the operation to the support of the community who directly coordinated with the police.
“May this inspire others to take part in our neighborhood watch to preempt such abusive activity that may cause untoward incidents in the future,” Nazarro added.