A 500-kilogram vintage bomb was unearthed in a construction site in Barangay Kamog in Sablan, Benguet on Jan. 16.
The Regional Explosives Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit-Cordillera (RECU-COR) reported it was informed by the Sablan Municipal Police Station regarding the discovery of a suspected vintage bomb, which was excavated by backhoe operators who were working on the road widening at sitio Banao.
Upon verification, the unit identified the unearthed device was a 1,000-pound general purpose bomb without fin assembly and in corroded condition. A general purpose bomb was developed and heavily used during World War II.
After the assessment, the RECU-COR ensured the safety of the residents in the area prior to transferring the device to the firing range in Clark Field, Pampanga for proper disposition.
The Sablan MPS reminded the workers in the area to be careful and to immediately report any additional vintage or unidentified devices unearthed from the area.
Last month, a construction worker found unexploded bombs at sitio Pongto, Bato-Alatbang, Mayoyao, Ifugao.
Upon reporting to the Mayoyao MPS, the latter coordinated with the Ifugao Provincial Explosive and Canine Unit for the safe retrieval of the vintage bombs.
The authorities excavated the area, resulting in the unearthing of eight corroded 81-millimeter high explosive bombs.
A few days earlier, an unexploded bomb was also unearthed on Dec. 15 in a technical vocational school in Lamut, Ifugao.
The device, identified as an 81-mm illuminating high explosive bomb, was discovered by a school employee who went to urinate at the back of the school.
The RECU-Cordillera reminded the public to immediately report any discovery of unexploded bombs as it is still highly active and might go off anytime, for the proper disposition of the device and safety of the community. – Ofelia C. Empian
