Photo: PDEA

MANILA, Philippines –  An explosion incident on January 28 in Tanza, Cavite led to the discovery of a kitchen-type illegal drugs laboratory causing the arrest of four people, including two foreigners, a suspected Chinese and a Filipina. 

According to reports, the Bureau of Fire Protection – Tanza responded to a blast report in a residential area along Leon Fojas Street, Barangay Sahud-Ulan, Tanza, Cavite early morning of January 28 when incidentally, certain paraphernalia, equipment and various types of suspected chemicals were discovered in the area. 

Photo: PDEA

The discovery was immediately coordinated to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office IV-A as well as to the Scene of the Crime Operatives Region IV-A. Upon inspection, authorities ruled that the intercepted apparatuses are used to manufacture illegal drugs. 

Further search even revealed various types of dangerous drugs. 

Photo: PDEA

Two Indonesian nationals and one Chinese-looking individual were caught in the scene while a  Filipina believed to be among them remains at large and are being tracked by operatives.

The pieces of drug evidence have been brought to the PDEA Laboratory and are presently being examined by chemists, while non-drug evidence is under the PNP Laboratory Region IV-A.  

The suspects are set to face charges for violation of Section 8 (Manufacture of Dangerous Drugs and/or Controlled precursors and Essential Chemicals) of Article II, Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. 

An on-going coordination among PDEA, the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation for possible follow-up operations.