Gov’t to strictly monitor mining sector’s sale and use of explosives

DAVAO CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a more stringent rule on the sale and use of dynamites and explosives to the mining sector to prevent the items from getting into the hands of communist rebels who used deadly landmines in attacks against soldiers.

“I’m going to direct the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and Secretary (Eduardo) Año here,” the President said during a December 21 meeting with his Cabinet in Davao City. “Where do you get your explosive powder?” asked the President, addressing the NPA. “Most of it comes from the mines, so, let’s double-check now (before an explosive would be purchased), it must be cleared by the police and supervised very strictly.”

He said mining companies would have to seek clearance from the police to buy dynamites and explosives.

“When you go to the area, (inform the) commanding officer of the military and let him know that you bought these explosives so that when and where you will be using it, they will be able to monitor,” the President said.

“Kami, sa gobyerno, nagdududa kami (We, in the government, we suspect that you are using (these dynamites and explosives to make landmines) against our soldiers,” he said.

“It’s against the Geneva Convention and your argument that it’s a self-detonating device is a hullaballoo.”

This developed as the President renewed his verbal attack against Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of the Makabayan bloc whom he tagged as a communist and questioned the ongoing study of Zarate’s son Xandro at the John Paul Catholic University of Lublin, Poland.

KGA