Maigo, Lanao del Norte — An explosive ordnance was safely recovered and turned over to authorities after being discovered in a shallow portion of a creek in Purok 1, Santa Cruz, Maigo on May 21, 2026, prompting an immediate security response and coordinated explosive ordnance disposal procedures.
Authorities identified the recovered item as an M34 Willie Pete Smoke Incendiary Inert Hand Grenade, based on technical assessment conducted by explosive ordnance experts.
Discovery by a farmer leads to swift police response
According to initial reports, the incident came to light after a concerned citizen alerted the Maigo Municipal Police Station upon discovering a suspected grenade in the area. Investigations revealed that the explosive device was first found by a local farmer while retrieving fish traps from the shallow creek.
Realizing the potential danger, the farmer immediately reported the discovery, allowing authorities to quickly secure the area and prevent any untoward incident.
Immediate coordination with explosive ordnance experts
Upon receiving the report, personnel of the Maigo Municipal Police Station promptly coordinated with the Provincial Explosive Canine Unit of the Lanao del Norte Police Provincial Office to conduct a technical assessment and ensure proper explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) protocols were followed.
Under the supervision of PCMS Paul A. Albaño, responding operatives immediately established a strict security perimeter around the site to safeguard residents and prevent unauthorized access while the assessment was ongoing.
Identification and safe handling of explosive device
During the technical examination, EOD specialists confirmed that the object was an M34 Willie Pete Smoke Incendiary Inert Hand Grenade, a type of ordnance commonly associated with military use but rendered inert in this instance.
Authorities emphasized that despite being classified as inert, all suspected explosive devices must still be treated with extreme caution due to potential risks from tampering, deterioration, or misidentification.
Controlled custody and proper disposal procedures
Following the successful assessment and confirmation of safety, the explosive ordnance was carefully placed under controlled custody. It was then transported to the Provincial Explosive Canine Unit for appropriate documentation, further examination, and final disposition in accordance with standard EOD protocols.
Authorities remind public to report suspicious objects
Police officials reiterated their call to the public to immediately report any suspicious items or suspected explosive devices and to avoid touching or moving them under any circumstances.
The quick reporting by the farmer and the rapid response of authorities were credited for ensuring that the situation was resolved without injury, damage, or disruption to the community.
Further investigation is ongoing to determine how the ordnance ended up in the creek.