23 vintage bombs thrown by unidentified man at the PPA wharf retrieved

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
July 8, 2008

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  About 23 vintage bombs were retrieved after they were allegedly thrown into the waters by an unidentified man on Sunday afternoon, Philippine Ports Authority Manager Winfred Elizalde informed.

Manager Elizalde said that the port security guard accosted a man who entered the PPA gate with a sack full of vintage bombs. The man who claimed to be an asset of the Philippine National Police was allowed entry because he said that he was turning over the said bombs to the PNP at the port area.

Since there are two police units in the Port Area, the CIDG and the Police Maritime Group, the security guard allegedly granted the man entry.

However, it was observed that instead of turning to the right where the Police Groups were housed, the man went towards the wharf area and threw the sack he was carrying.

Manager Elizalde said that when he learned about the incident on Monday, he immediately coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Region 8.

The Philippine Coast Guard divers retrieved 22 World War II vintage grenades inside the sack. To make sure however, the divers scoured the waters once more and found another one, making the total number of retrieved grenades to 23.

Manager Elizalde called the Explosives and Ordinance Disposal Unit of the Philippine National Police Region 8 through General Abner Cabalquinto. The Explosives and Ordinance Disposal team declared the vintage bombs as active.

The retrieved bombs are now in the possession of the Philippine National Police for proper disposition. Manager Elizalde said even as he gave the assurance that the Port Area is safe and that the Philippine National Police is now making the necessary action as to the identity and motive of the suspect.