BATANGAS, Philippines – Police arrested 2 persons for possession of shabu-making chemicals in a checkpoint in Batangas City, Monday afternoon, police said.
 
Superintendent Manuel Abu, Batangas City police chief, identified the suspects as Alnajier Musa, 27 and Julie Kissae, 37, both natives of Jolo, Sulu and residents of Botolan, Zambales.
 
Abu said the 2 were arrested by policemen manning a Comelec checkpoint along a highway in Barangay Balagtas around 3 p.m..

He said that suspects were on board a Hyundai Starex van (WSU-678) carrying foul-smelling chemicals placed in 7 wooden crates, later discovered as thionyl chloride, which, he said, is an essential chemical used in the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

Also seized from the suspects' van were a small brown envelope containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu and 10 white plastic containers of acetone.

The suspects have been brought to the Batangas City Police Station for detention. Drug charges are being readied against them.