Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Battalion, said the three men were carrying cash and explosives that were allegedly given by a local politicians.

Bacarro said the three were aboard a van when it was flagged down Wednesday afternoon by soldiers and policemen manning a checkpoint in the town of Lumban at the northern Philippine province of Laguna. The inspecting officer, Lt. Chester de Ocampo, then checked the vehicle.

"During the inspection, Lt. de Ocampo noticed the unusual behavior of the passengers and in plain view saw electrical wires believed to be wires for blasting caps in the (suspects') pocket, " Bacarro said.

Bacarro said the rebels extorted the money from politicians in Laguna. He declined to name the politicians, saying follow up operations are still ongoing.

The checkpoint is among the many checkpoints that were set up by the military and the police since last week. This is in line with the total gun ban being imposed by the Commission on Elections ahead of the national elections in May. -- Phil.Star