1000-pound WW2 bomb found by workers in Daraga flood control project
DARAGA, Albay—Bicol authorities extracted a 1000-pound unexploded vintage bomb at Yawa River in Barangay Binitayan, Daraga, Albay at around 9 a.m. Thursday.
Bicol authorities extracted from the ground an unexploded vintage bomb at Yawa River in Barangay Binitayan, Daraga, Albay. (Photo by: Wilson Nicol Madela/ via HANAH TABIOS)
Eyewitness Wilson Madela told the Manila Bulletin in an interview that his team was dredging in the area for their flood control project when the bomb suddenly appeared after sediments have been removed from an area of the river.
The incident was later reported by the village secretary who immediately called up authorities to recover the unexploded war ordnance.
An initial police report from the Albay Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) revealed that the war remnant was weighing 1000lbs measuring around 124cm in length and 40cm in width. It was identified as a general purpose (GP) bomb AN-M65.
A quick online search about the model would suggest that it is a common weapon of fighter-bombers and attack aircrafts during World War II.
Authorities successfully recovered the item from the ground using a backhoe and later transported it to Camp BGen. Simeon A. Ola in Legazpi City for proper disposition.
Daraga Chief of Police Lt. Col. Rodelon Betita said that at least 6 persons are needed to carry the item.
Police said they are yet to finalize the plan on where they will detonate it.
The last reported vintage bomb found in the country was in July where a group of children found the undetonated explosive at Maralla River in Balut, Tondo, Manila.