A US Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team has
assisted its counterparts in the Philippine military on the safe disposal and
detonation of a 500 pound World War II-era bomb unearthed in Butuan City
This was disclosed by the US Embassy in Manila
Friday morning.
The bomb was recently discovered by a construction crew
digging the foundation for a new school in the heart of Butuan City
Philippine National Police personnel in the area moved
swiftly first to safeguard the area and then to excavate the bomb and transport
it outside of city limits as a precautionary measure to protect the civilian
population.
After careful deliberation between PNP, Philippine Army, and
Philippine Navy EOD units, a request for assistance was submitted to the Joint
US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) at the US Embassy for assistance in
determining the condition of the bomb.
On Nov. 17, JUSMAG deployed a two-man US Navy EOD team to
liaise with Philippine counterparts and determine the appropriate course of
action to dispose of the bomb.
The US Navy EOD team concluded, in conjunction with joint
Filipino EOD units, that the bomb was armed and could pose danger to the local
community if not properly disposed.
The US Navy EOD team recommended that the bomb be carefully
transported to a rock quarry 2.5 km from its initial location where it could be
safely detonated.
Over the course of the next two months, the JUSMAG EOD
liaison officer, Lt. Jason Cocca, coordinated with the PNP, NAVSOG, and ASCOM
EOD units to make preparations for the disposal using locally-procured tools
and materials.
On Jan. 28, a four-man US Navy EOD team from EOD mobile unit
five assisted the joint Filipino EOD team to safely detonate the WWII-era
device.
“[The safe detonation] of this WWII remnant, was a huge
success for Butuan City and the Philippines
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=733081
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