Vintage ammo found at construction site

The construction of a two-story day care center building in Barangay Marulas in Valenzuela City had to be stopped following the discovery last Wednesday of several decaying empty magazines for high caliber US-made guns buried at the construction site.

City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian and Valenzuela Rep. Antonio Serapio, who sponsored the project, ordered the construction temporarily halted after local residents expressed fears of a likely explosion that could result in damage to life and property unless the site is properly "cleared." Local construction officials are coordinating with the city engineering office for appropriate action.

Inspector Angelo Tamayo, team leader of the Valenzuela Special Weapons and Tactics Explosives and Ordnance Division (SWAT-EOD), said they recovered some magazines from high caliber rifles used by American military and have turned them over to the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) officers, who processed the scene. He added they found no bombs or similar devices at the site.

PO1 Mervin Brinquez, SOCO ballistician, told The STAR they took samples of unidentified solid iron plates, suspected to be parts of a tank or similar military vehicle.

Residents said even before the police arrived, enterprising scavengers have allegedly retrieved sacks of the military material.

Old timers in the community told The STAR the area used to be an "R and R" (rest and recreation) area for American servicemen and was known by the local name "Pugad Baboy."

The day care center is an "Alay sa Tao" improvement of the Manotok Sports complex at the corner of Patricio and Filomena streets in Barangay Marulas, Valenzuela and supported by Gatchalian’s "VC Cares program."