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Explosion bares shabu laboratory in Tanza, Cavite


Due to an explosion, the operation of an alleged shabu factory in a rental house in Tanza, Cavite was busted. 

According to a "24 Oras" report by Ian Cruz on Wednesday, an explosion at around 5 a.m. shocked the residents of Barangay Sahud Ulan in Tanza, Cavite.

"Malakas na pagsabog ho, parang bomba. (Tapos) paglabas namin nakita namin maraming usok," said a resident. 

(There was a loud explosion, like a bomb. (Then) when we came out, we saw a lot of smoke.)

The resident said they saw the tenants of the house escape. 

The CCTV footage of the barangay even captured the tenants walking. Two men were the first to exit on the Antero Highway, followed by two women and two more men.

According to the barangay captain, in November, the tenant made a transaction on social media with the house owner's relative.

"Pinost sa Facebook na mayroon silang for rent na ganito nga yun ang kwento nila," said Barangay Captain Recto Fojas.

(Posted on Facebook that they have for rent. That's their story.)

It is also said that the neighbors did not notice anything suspicious in the house except for the deliveries. 

"Minsan may napapansin daw na deliveries dito mga rider parang ganun lang," Fojas said. 

(Sometimes, they notice delivery riders in the house.)

When the firefighters responded to the explosion, a room that is believed to be used for cooking drugs was discovered. 

They said that a bucket where the chemical was being crystallized to become finished products was the one that caused the explosion. 

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), at least 20 kilos of illegal drugs are being produced in the said laboratory based on the recovered evidence.

“Based doon sa mga kemikal na nakita at mga gamit na nakita nasa 10 to 20 per production— kilo per production. Pero may nakita pa silang naka box na equipment and paraphernalia so maybe they are planning on expanding kapag naging succesful yung gagawin na batch. Kasi sa assessment namin wala pang nailalabas,” said Attorney Jacquelyn De Guzman, regional director of the PDEA-Calabarzon. 

(Based on the chemicals and materials found at 10 to 20 per production— kilos per production. But they still saw equipment and paraphernalia in a box, so maybe they plan to expand when the batch succeeds. Because nothing has been released yet in our assessment.)

Drug manufacturing chemicals, drug paraphernalia, sachets of suspected finished products of shabu, and gas masks were recovered from the area.

The Philippine National Police and PDEA are still investigating the identity of the foreigners and Filipinos renting the house.

“Ang initial na binigay sa atin isang chinese looking dati nang nahuli for (Republic Act) 9165 so mas madaling hanapin, may dalawang Indonesian, may isang pinay so tinitingnan natin yung roles nila,” De Guzman added. 

(The initial given to us is a Chinese-looking person arrested before for violating Republic Act 9165, so it's easier to find. There are two Indonesians and one Filipina, we will look at their roles.)—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News