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Bomb components shipment seized in Tawi-Tawi (philstar.com) Updated October 19, 2009 05:47 PM MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) – Government forces have seized over 200 sacks of ammonium nitrate, an ingredient in the manufacture of improvised bombs, in two separate operations in Tawi-Tawi, a military spokesman said today. Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. David Hontiveros said Marine soldiers intercepted nine of the sacks aboard a boat, M/L Piaksah, while it was about to leave a port in Bongao town last Friday morning. Hontiveros said the boat is owned and manned by one Eding Juaini. Further investigation led Marine soldiers to a warehouse at the village of Lamion, also in Bongao, where 233 more sacks of ammonium nitrate were seized. The warehouse is owned by one Holkim Mating, alias “Radji.” "The said contraband was allegedly bought in Malaysia and the intended destination was Sipangkot, Sitangkai (another town in Tawi-Tawi)," Hontiveros said. Hontiveros said they are still verifying if the seized ammonium nitrate will be used for the assembly of bombs. Ammonium nitrates are also used by farmers as fertilizer. He said they have yet to determine the consignee of the contraband. "We only identified the owner of the warehouse," the spokesman said, adding that the warehouse owner is being questioned by the police. Asked if the contraband is owned by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, Hontiveros said: "We can't be certain." The al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf is known to operate in the province. |