MANILA, Philippines — Transportation authorities intercepted a shipment of explosives inside a provincial bus aboard a roll-on roll-off boat from Bicol over the weekend.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) reported that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) seized a package consisting of 11 kilos of TNT, five-and-a-half kilos of C4/Prima powder, eight boxes of blasting cap, three rolls of D-Cord, and several prime boosters aboard an Elavil Bus, which was transported by the MV King Frederick from Albay.

A report dispatched by PCG Masbate disclosed that the drivers of Elavil Bus 4628 with plate number TYU264 were intercepted by a joint PNP/PCG security force, with the aid of a K9 dog. The report confirmed that the vehicle was carrying explosive materials.

The arrested drivers denied knowledge of the explosive, saying they were abandoned in their vehicle. The seized explosive paraphernalia had been turned over to Masbate crime lab, while the bus was impounded in PNP Masbate City’s headquarters.

The discovery and confiscation of the explosive materials were made at the height of terrorist threat in Metro Manila in time for the feast of the Black Nazarene, which traditionally invites millions of devotees nationwide to the procession in Manila.

“The operation of the PCG and PNP was in line with the DoTC’s mandate to secure all land and sea ports during and after the holiday season,” the DoTC said.