Unexploded vintage bombs recovered from different junkshops in Nueva Ecija. (Photo by NEPPO)
CABANATUAN CITY – Junkshop workers and operators were urged by police Thursday to be more cautious in collecting and handling scrap as a series of visitation to various shops yielded eight unexploded vintage bombs.
Nueva Ecija police director Col. Marvin Joe Saro said operatives of the provincial explosive and canine unit (PECU) made a round on different shops for the possible presence of junked unexploded ordnance, called UXO or vintage bombs.
It can be recalled that a worker was killed and another was wounded in an explosion in a junkshop in Barangay San Isidro, Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija recently.
Saro said “UXO is more dangerous or deadly because of its unknown condition and sensitivity.”
During the police operations, junkshop owners in Cabanatuan City, Sta Rosa and San Antonio turnedover to police two pieces projectiles of 76mm high explosives without fuse, two cartridges of 81mm mortar, one high explosives without fuse, and one corroded and two rifle grenade high explosives.
After rendering safety procedures, the UXOs were transferred to Sector 1 Office, 1st PMFC Compound, Burgos Ave., Cabanatuan City and in a makeshift storage facility at Nueva Ecija Headquarters, Barangay Atate, Palayan City for safekeeping while awaiting proper disposal, according to the provincial policeinformation office.
Saro said police stations, together with PECU, will intensify community awareness campaign “to prevent further injuries and death caused by ignorance and senselessness.”
