The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking for possible link to terrorism behind the arrest of three persons for illegally possessing blasting caps casing and explosive equipment in Tanza, Cavite.

NBI Regional Director Ricardo Diaz, chief of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), said the investigation continued as the seized explosive devices could be used for improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

While the NBI investigators said the blasting caps are usually used for dynamite fishing, Diaz said they are not ruling out the possibility that these kinds of explosive devices can be used by terrorists.

The NBI identified the suspects as Geronimo A. Ortiz, Joey P. Nuga and Armando A. de Castro.

"As of now, evidence gathered would show that these explosive devices are used for dynamite fishing not only in Cavite but also in the entire country. But we will not stop here because we want to know who are their other buyers of these. Maybe they have other clients who are also connected with terrorists,” he said.

Diaz said the three suspects refused to give information as to the identities of their clients.

“They don’t want to talk, making us to believe that the local fishermen engaged in dynamite fishing are the ones using this. But why is it they refused to talk? Maybe there is something here,” said Diaz.

The three were caught in the act of filling and packing blasting caps for illegal possession of explosive devices.

Diaz said the confiscation was carried out after the NBI received reports of the manufacture and sale of homemade blasting caps in Tanza.

Lawyer Alexander G. Bautista, CTU executive officer, said the confiscated caps casing were made out of indigenous material with high explosives fillers.

The NBI operatives conducted surveillance and a test buy after a certain “Rey,” of Barangay Lambingan, Ilaya, Tanza, Cavite, was reported to have engaged in the manufacture and sale of explosives.

Armed with search warrant issued by Judge Nina G. Antonio-Valenzuela, of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 28, the NBI raided a nipa hut in Sitio American Monte, Barangay Lambingan, Ilaya, Tanza, Cavite, last September 21.

The operation resulted in the confiscation of several pieces of homemade blasting caps, explosive chemicals, hand mill, casings, and time fuse.