SULTAN MASTURA, Maguindanao del Norte — A suspected unexploded ordnance (UXO), believed to be an old grenade, was discovered along the Narciso Ramos National Highway in Barangay Macabiso, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, on Wednesday morning, prompting police and explosives experts to secure the area and carry out an emergency disposal.
The suspected UXO was spotted at around 9:05 a.m. by Wahid Silo, a maintenance personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region XII, while working along the highway.
According to Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) spokesperson Capt. Steffi Salanguit, personnel of the Sultan Mastura Municipal Police Station immediately responded after receiving the report.
Upon arrival, police officers established a security perimeter around the suspected explosive device to prevent motorists, pedestrians, DPWH workers and nearby residents from approaching the area.
Authorities also followed safety protocols by not touching, moving or attempting to examine the suspected UXO themselves while awaiting the arrival of the Explosives and Canine Unit (PECU) of the Maguindanao del Norte police.
At around 9:15 a.m., PECU personnel arrived at the site and conducted an assessment of the suspected explosive device, including an examination of the immediate surrounding area.
Following their assessment, explosives experts determined that the suspected UXO had become corrosive and unstable, making it unsafe to transport or relocate.
Because of the condition of the device, PECU personnel decided to conduct an emergency disposal at the location rather than risk moving it to another area.
The surrounding area remained under strict safety measures while the appropriate disposal procedure was carried out by trained explosives personnel.
The incident serves as another reminder of the potential danger posed by unexploded or abandoned ordnance, particularly in areas where old explosive devices may remain undiscovered for years.
Authorities reiterated the importance of not touching, moving or attempting to dismantle any suspected explosive device. Members of the public who discover a similar object are advised to immediately move to a safe distance, keep others away from the area and report the discovery to the nearest police station or appropriate authorities.
The successful securing and disposal of the suspected UXO prevented the potentially dangerous object from remaining exposed along a busy national highway and helped ensure the safety of motorists, workers and residents in Barangay Macabiso.