Saturday, April 21, 2007 2 fishermen find 8 vintage bombs
TWO fishermen found eight vintage bombs off Sitio Naba, Mambaling, Cebu City.
Victor Agiulon and neighbor Marciano Karo-lasan were fishing near Shell Island at 6 a.m. when they found the weed-coated bombs five to seven meters under water.
Shell Island faces Cebu City’s coastal Barangays Pilipog, Babag and Day-as. It is across the newly completed Cebu South Coastal Road.
Aguilon and Karolasan brought the bombs for fear that it might blow up and hurt someone.
“Aduna pa’y pin sa bomba. Bug-at pa gyud, nagpa-ila lang nga anaa pa ang pulbura sa sulod (The pins are still intact. They are also heavy, indicating that there is still some explosives inside),” explained Aguilon.
They loaded the bombs into their small boat.
Rowing back to land was no easy task, considering the load they were carrying, Aguilon said.
Six of the eight bombs are about 20 inches long and the two smaller ones are about 15 inches.
They placed the bombs outside Aguilon’s house, near Naba Elementary School, causing panic in the neighborhood.
Aguilon called Councilor Victor Laborte to ask for advice on what to do with the bombs.
Laborte told Aguilon it was dangerous. He called the Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) for help.
Around 8 a.m., a Swat team arrived to take the bombs.
SPO1 Perferio Gabuya of Swat said the bombs may still explode because their pins are still attached and they still contained powder.
Swat will coordinate with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) of the Central Command.
Gabuya said the EOD usually disposes of bombs at its headquarters twice a year.
He said many bombs have been found since January, usually from construction sites. (NRC)
