Deadly reminders
Twenty-six different explosives were recently discovered at a school in Cabagan, Isabela. The explosives consisted of grenades and rockets.
The ordnance was unearthed by construction workers at the Delfin Albano High School. The explosives were placed in a drum that was already rusting and rotting away. The explosives were rusted as well, leading the workers to assume that these were from World War II.
It is fortunate that the explosives were not hit and set off. Had they been hit by a pick or unearthed by heavy machinery, I cannot imagine the destruction and deaths if the school had been open to its students. The ordnance may still be live even if the outer casings have rusted. The military is already in possession of the dangerous explosives.
I’m just wondering why they had to be placed inside a drum and buried - clearly to hide them - if they are to be used in the fighting? Was it to hide them from the Japanese, who were always looking for guerilla fighters? It is not far-fetched that they were also hidden by rebels after the war, from government forces.
Whatever the reason, it’s good they were discovered in a safe manner. There have been incidents where these explosives were discovered in a horrific way, where workers were practically vaporized after their tools hit the explosives and set them off. I read a co-worker saying that they just couldn’t find their friend anymore after the explosion.
The country is rich in history dating back to World War II. Which is why there are probably many more bombs and the like buried in the ground over time. And these are not the only reminders of the war, but it’s sad to see these reminders or monuments being neglected, ignored, or even torn down or stolen.
Buildings that survived the war, considering Manila was only second to Warsaw in terms of the destruction, now being torn down to make way for “more modern” buildings. Probably another mall. There are monuments that were not spared by thieves. There is a report that a monument in Pangasinan was stolen by armed persons a couple of decades ago, since it consisted of an antique cannon.
There are reminders all over the country that people no longer notice. Stories of heroism and valor, in situations against all odds. It would be nice if schools included these when teaching history, and conduct field trips to actually see these plaques, statues, monuments, and reminders. Finding explosives buried in the ground should not be the only way to be reminded of the war.
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