The National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) recovered three vintage mortar bombs in Davao City on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Barangay Lapu-Lapu personnel were collecting garbage when a man handed over a white sack containing three suspected vintage mortar bombs.

“Diri lang mi sa barangay niagi mi, naay nakibutang sa amoa ug basura kay pagtuo pud namo’g basura…Medyo nabalaka pud ta kay basin mubuto ba kay wala pud ko kahibalo anang butanga na unsaon (pagsuta) na,” Barangay Lapu-Lapu Councilman, Ferdinand Malicdem, said.

NBI-11 found out that the sack contains an 81 mm mortar bomb and two 60 mm mortar bombs.

“This is live mortar shell. Very dangerous and very delicate and ano pa ito siya buhay pa…Actually, it will be considered as an improvised explosive device kung butangan ni siya og triggering device… ang cellphone through electronic means, pwede ni siya mubuto,” NBI-11 Director, Atty. Arcelito Albao said.

According to the Davao City Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) K9 Unit, the bombs recovered are similar to the ones used in the September 2016 Roxas Night Market bombing that left 15 people dead and 70 others injured.

“Radius ani kung open area mobot ta og 300 meters kung open area. Then kung close lang siya mga 30 meters labi na kung ma-consider nato ning mga walling or mga barricade of defense. Mo-penetrate man siya pero less na lang ang mulapos,” Davao City EOD K9 Unit Technician, Master Sergeant Emmanuel Iyog, said.

The bombs recovered were turned over to the Davao City EOD K9 Unit.

Authorities are looking into the whereabouts of the man who handed the sack with bombs to the barangay personnel.

“We are talking with the kagawad received these bombs this morning kung kinsa to na tao para amo pang magukod…Basin naa pa siyay lain nga gigunitan no possible or basin naa pa siyay nahibaloan,” Albao said.

The Davao City Police Office assured the public that strict security measures are being implemented in the city, especially that the city is celebrating the Kadayawan Festival.

Authorities also urged the public to report any suspicious items or individuals.