By LITO RULONA
Correspondent
AUTHORITIES started setting up more checkpoints, fearing that the Isis-inspired Maute Group would use chemicals to carry out terrorist attacks outside strife-torn Marawi as it loses it grip in the predominantly Muslim city.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) entered the picture on Monday, setting up checkpoints for hazardous materials on the highway linking Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
Noli dela Rita, BFP spokesman for northern Mindanao, said the Bureau is aware that its road inspections would cause delays and affect industrial companies but authorities needed to check every delivery of chemicals.
Last week, authorities seized tons of hazardous materials at a checkpoint in Barangay Suarez, Iligan City.
The seized chemicals include sodium chloride and sodium hypochlorite that may be used in bomb-making, said Senior Supt. Domingo Tambalo, BFP director for northern Mindanao.
Supt. Lemuel Gonda, Camp Alagar spokesman, said the Maute Group and even the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (Biff) could launch major terrorist attacks using hijacked trucks transporting chemicals or petroleum products.
“That is why the Bureau of Fire Protection joined the mobile checkpoints. They have the capability to identify the kind of hazardous chemical products. Sila na-trained ana nga monitoring,” Gonda said.
He said the road inspections are now the collective effort of various government organizations.
Dela Rita said the BFP is on the watch for nitromethane, mainly a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents used in dry cleaning, semiconductor processing, and degreasing. But it can be used in explosives, too.
Ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer, is also in the BFP list because it can be combined with explosives.
“When substantially exposed to oxygen and heat, this will bring danger to body and environment,” he said. “Nia pa’y usa nga gitawag og ammonium salt which is considered a powerful oxidizer in combustible materials such as sawdust and charcoal.”
Dela Rita said the government wants to avoid a situation when these chemicals would end up in the hands of terrorists.
These chemicals, he said, could be legally acquired but are prone to abuse.
Dela Rita said BFP is monitoring entry points especially ports and industrial plants.
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