Soldiers exploded 2 UXOs in Tawi-Tawi

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Police and military authorities disposed of two unexploded ordnances along the beach in Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi, the Armed Forces of the Philippines — Western Mindanao Command reported yesterday.

AFP-WestMinCom spokesperson Lt Col. Abdurasad Sirajan said yesterday authorities disposed of two UXOs – one with one round of 81mm High Explosive and another with nine rounds of 81mm High Explosives.

The disposal of the two unexploded ordnances was conducted in Silantup Beach, Barangay Silantup in Tandubas on 13 September.

According to Sirajan "based on the assessment of the EOD Team, the recovered ordnances were unused, completely and badly corroded, and the lot numbers and markings were already indiscernible," Sirajan said.

The explosives, he said were unsafe for travel by sea and require immediate disposal due to their physical condition."

Earlier during the day, Marine Battalion Landing Team 1, K-9 Unit, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team proceeded to Barangay Tapian Sokah, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi to conduct clearing operations.

During the clearing operation, the soldiers recovered the UXOs in the area which prompted them to call the EOD Team for proper disposal procedure.

The soldiers also coordinated with the Tandubas local government Unit and Municipal Police Station for the conduct of disposal operation of the recovered ordnances.

AFP-WestMinCom Commander Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commended the Marine soldiers for their prompt action that preempted the accidental explosion of the ordnance.