HUMAN skeletons were unearthed in two separate occasions by workers undertaking the construction of a new building for the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) in Zamboanga City.
Francisco Barredo, CSWDO chief, said they first unearthed skeletons around 3 p.m. last Thursday while the workers were digging to build a septic tank for the CSWDO in Pettit Barracks, Zamboanga City.
He said that on Friday, they again found more human skeletons as the workers continued to dig deeper on the same hole.
The skeletons might be of those who were buried in Pettit Barracks several decades ago or during the Second World War period, Barredo said.
Pettit Barracks was the headquarters and home of the Spanish soldiers until it was turned over to the American troops in 1899.
The place was developed into a beautiful barracks and it was named after Colonel James S. Pettit of the 31st Infantry US Volunteer Commanding Officer who became the inspector general and in-charge of civil affairs of Zamboanga.
Pettit Barracks also served as the base of the United States Army's 43rd Infantry Regiment during the Pre-World War II.
At present, Pettit Barracks is the home of four local government offices and five offices of National Government agencies, a government-owned bank and the Red Cross.
The skeletons were taken to a local funeral parlor for proper disposition, Barredo said.