PCG discovers two vintage bombs in Pasig River

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo yesterday said that vessels traveling along Pasig River have been advised to take precaution after two more vintage bombs were recently found in Pasig River.

Tamayo said that two pieces of vintage ammunitions, that measured 76 mm and 105 mm cannon, were believed to be from World War II. He said, “This is already a standard operating procedure for the PCG, in this case the station in Pasig City, has to issue a notice to mariners” since these ammunitions that remain submerged under the silt and water could pose as a hazard to navigation. They wanted to inform the ships plying the route of the condition of sea travel in the area, said Tamayo.

Initial information reaching the PCG showed that on Dec. 22, the company Baggerwerken Dredging Co. discovered the two bombs while they were conducting dredging operations along the waterway. It was found some 100 meters off downstream in Guadalupe Bridge in Pasig River. The dredging firm immediately alerted the PCG station in Pasig City, who in turn dispatched its Special Operations Group-Explosive Ordnance Division (SOG-EOD) and the ammunition was transferred to their inflatable boat. The bombs were then brought to the Coast Guard Base Farola, Binondo, Manila City for safe keeping.       – Evely Macairan