The Bacolod police called on metal collectors and junkshop workers to observe precautions in handling scrap materials after a vintage bomb exploded and left two persons injured in Brgy. Tangub, Bacolod City, yesterday.

Fernando Vego, 41, and Rico Remo, 23, were brought to the Bacolod Adventist Medical Center and the Doctor’s Hospital, respectively, after a 75 millimeter World War II live artillery shell exploded at the Supertech machine shop, where they were working,  at about 9:15 a.m. yesterday, PO1 Oliver Manaay of Police Station 8, said.

Police Station 8 commander, Senior Inspector Placido Gentoleo, said Vego’s legs most probably needed to be amputated.

The investigation conducted by explosive and ordnance expert, Deny Montoya, showed that the bomb exploded while one of the shop’s workers was trying to slice it with an acetylene cutter, Gentoleo said.

He said the artillery’s powder and shrapnel may have reacted to the heat from the cutter.

Bacolod police director, Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar, said scrap metal collectors and the public must be cautious in handling suspicious-looking metals, noting that old bombs can still explode even after being buried for years.

He encouraged the public to report any discovery of unusual metals to avoid further injuries or deaths.

The bomb was bought by Supertech from the New Oriental junkshop in the Libertad area, Gentoleo said.

It is up to the two workers if they will file complaints against the junk shop, he added.

The Supertech management has expressed willingness to shoulder the costs of its employees’ medical expenses, he said.

The bomb’s remnants are now at the BCPO for safekeeping as its inner slug could still explode, Gentoleo said.*PP

back to top