MANILA, Philippines — Authorities seized dozens of improvised explosives for blast fishing in Zamboanga City, the Philippine Navy said on Wednesday.
Lt. Ross Cagaltera, Western Mindanao Navy information officer, said the operation was carried out by joint task force Poseidon and personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region 9.
Calbaltera said the joint operation was part of an extensive surveillance activity in the waters off Zamboanga City.
Seized items included 46 bottles of improvised explosives, 50 commercial blasting caps, eight meters of timing fuse and a wire, and a motorized boat.
Navy forces and BFAR personnel patrolling off Zamboanga City’s Barangay Mariki intercepted the explosives and blasting devices at about 5:20 p.m. on Tuesday.
During the operation, three suspects on a separate boat eluded arrest and abandoned the vessel loaded with explosives.
Operatives towed the abandoned vessel to the Romulo Espaldon Naval Station for further inspection, and the explosives were brought to Zamboanga City Police Station 8 for documentation and proper disposal.
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