Cache of surrendered explosives detonated

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Scores of grenades and several ammunition were detonated following a bomb disposal operations Saturday morning in Iloilo province.

Members of the PNP Explosives Ordnance Division (EOD) led the disposal of explosives at the vacant area in the camp of the 603rd Mobile Force Company at Barangay Guadalupe in Janiuay town of Iloilo.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Police Regional Office-6 regional director, witnessed the detonation of 42 rifle grenades, 23 rounds of caliber 40mm M203 ammunition, 18 MK2 fragmentation grenades, and 10 rounds of 60mm mortar ammunition.

Also detonated were: A 2.5-inch folding fin rocket, 81mm white phosphorus mortar ammunition, anti-aircraft projectile, unidentified projectile, two rounds of 81mm high-explosive mortar ammunition, 17 rounds of .50-caliber ammunition, .50-caliber anti-aircraft ammunition, type-89 knee mortar ammunition, M26 fragmentation grenade, MK3 fragmentation grenade, improvised smoke grenade, and MK1 36mm rocket illumination.

During the detonation procedure, the explosives were placed inside a five-foot deep depression on the ground to reduce the impact of the explosion. The EOD operatives then attached a detonating chord, blasting cap, and C-4 explosive on the pile to trigger the explosion.

The detonated explosives were those surrendered under the Iloilo City Mobile Force Company’s G1 Project “May Kwarta sa Granada,” which was conceptualized by the Iloilo City Police Office-Police Strategy Management Unit through the Iloilo City Advisory Council for Police Transformation and Development. It kicked off December 27, last year and was formally launched last January 16.

Under the program, any person who find a grenade or explosive in their backyard, old houses, or any places in Iloilo City could report it and would receive P1,000 cash as reward.

Initially, a P50,000 seed money was contributed by stakeholders, the Iloilo City Advisory Council, and other concerned citizens for the reward.

The program aimed to encourage people to report to police authorities if ever they find a grenade so that trained personnel of the EOD could properly dispose it.

It came about as there have been incidents before where construction workers or residents accidentally stumbled into the "explosive find" while digging into their backyard.

Citing how dangerous an explosive is, Bulalacao said this program is a good initiative. (FREEMAN)