Local Fisherman Carries UXO To Police Station

Cotabato City, Philippines A local 35-year old fisherman found a UXO item along the shoreline of the Rio Grande de Mindanao as he was docking his boat along the river bank during low tide. The UXO was half buried in the sand and sediment. Concerned that someone may be harmed by the UXO, the man took it upon himself to uncover the UXO and personally hand delivery it to the police station.

The police called the 6th Infantry Division Bomb Disposal Unit in for technical support in dealing with the UXO. Bomb disposal technicians identified the UXO as a live WWII era munition (specific type not reported). The technicians safely detonated the UXO to dispose of the explosive safety hazard in a controlled detonation operation.

When the police told the man that he could have been arrested for possessing and transporting explosives without a license, the man reportedly replied, "I had no intention of playing with it. I know it was dangerous so I brought it to the police rather than let it land in the wrong hands."

After the incident, local Authorities issued warning notices to civilians and fisherman living, swimming or fishing in the Rio Grande de Mindanao to report any discovery of UXO.