DAVAO CITY — Authorities safely secured and disposed of a vintage aerial bomb discovered early Saturday morning, March 14, after a construction worker unearthed the explosive while digging in a residential area in Barangay Mandug Proper, Buhangin District.
According to police reports, the suspected explosive device was discovered at around 5:30 a.m. by Jay Bacharpa, a construction worker and resident of Mandug Proper, while he was digging a hole intended for a fish trap at Sitio Sunflower.
Bacharpa initially noticed a metal object protruding from the ground as he dug the pit. Curious about the unusual find, he and a companion attempted to dig it out using a shovel. At first, they speculated that the object could be a container possibly holding valuables such as gold.
However, as more of the object became visible, the two men noticed its unusual shape and structure, raising suspicions that it might actually be an old bomb rather than a buried container.
Realizing the potential danger, Bacharpa immediately contacted the 911 emergency hotline to request police assistance regarding the suspected explosive device.
Responding to the report was Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime (CTOC) personnel, led by Police Staff Sergeant Rommel Bautista, who proceeded to the site to assess the situation. Upon inspection, authorities confirmed that the object resembled a vintage aerial bomb, prompting immediate safety measures.
Police quickly cordoned off the surrounding area to prevent residents and passersby from approaching the site, ensuring the safety of nearby households while bomb disposal procedures were being prepared.
The responding team then coordinated with the Davao City Explosive and Canine Unit (CECU) under Police Chief Master Sergeant Caryl Melendres, whose personnel conducted a thorough assessment of the suspected explosive.
Using standard explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) protocols, the CECU team carefully handled and secured the device to prevent any accidental detonation.
Following further examination, authorities identified the object as a “JP-250” vintage bomb, believed to be an old aerial bomb likely dating back several decades. Such unexploded ordnance is occasionally discovered in parts of Mindanao and other areas in the country, often remnants of past conflicts.
Authorities did not report any injuries during the incident.
Police reminded the public that any suspicious object resembling explosives should never be touched or disturbed, and should instead be immediately reported to authorities to prevent possible accidents.
The safe response by residents and the swift action of law enforcement and bomb disposal units prevented what could have been a dangerous situation in the community.