By BOY RYAN ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Police were hardly surprised when vintage bombs were found off the coastal village of Dapdap in Tangalan town two weeks ago.
In fact, they suspect there are more, citing previous similar discoveries.
“Earlier, we also found four (vintage bombs) excavated from the coastlines and another dug up from a septic tank under construction,” said Senior Police Office 3 Vengie Repedro of Aklan Police Provincial Office’s Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team.
Stories among the townsfolk also had it that Dapdap, 30 kilometers west of this capital town, was a Japanese garrison during World War II in the 1940s, Repedro said.
The Explosives and Ordnance Disposal unit of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade in Dingle, Iloilo on Friday confirmed that the live bombs were vintage.
Both explosives weighed 20 pounds. Each was 47 centimeters long and 7 centimeters in diameter. They were suspected to have come from a World War II Japanese warship.
Placed in a wooden case, the bombs were trapped in the fishing nets of Leonel Villanueva at about 4 p.m. on Aug. 22.
Villanueva brought them at the back of Dapdap’s barangay hall and reported to Tangalan police station, which called the provincial police’s explosives team.
Citing townsfolk stories, Repedro said a Japanese battleship had titled to its side off the village coast and spilled bullets and artillery bombs.
Those recently recovered were only the “slugs or projectile,” while the cartridges had corroded, said the bomb expert.
Since they were still live, the bombs — now in the provincial police ammunition dump — could detonate when exposed to extreme heat, pressure or shock, he said.
Repedro plans to hold next week an information drive on the dangers of vintage bombs found in Dapdap.
“Never attempt to open or dismantle vintage bombs,” he appealed to those who may find more such explosives. “Report to the police or the barangay officials.” (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
