Coast Guard recovers unexploded projectile in Batangas port

July 19, 2020

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered an unexploded 155mm projectile  at Batangas port  on Saturday night.

In a report, Captain Geronimo Tuvilla, Batangas Port station commander said the  captain of MV St. Ignatius of Loyola reported this around 7:55 pm.

"The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station – Batangas responded to a reported unidentified explosive type object accidentally caught at the starboard anchor of MV St. Ignatius of Loyola of the 2GO Group while the vessel was about to dock at Ramp Number 5, Batangas Port from Bravo Anchorage, Batangas Port," Tuvilla said.

A Coast Guard K9 Force and Special Operations Unit explosive and ordnance disposal team proceeded to the starboard side anchor of the vessel and verified that the explosive type object was a 155mm projectile.

''(It is) high explosive unexploded ordnance," Tuvilla added.

Tuvilla said personnel of Coast Guard Station Batangas  joined the two units.

"The PCG Station – Batangas immediately coordinated with the Coast Guard (CG) K9 Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal to organize an investigation and security team. While coordination was ongoing, another team onboard AB-294 proceeded to the incident area for initial assessment," he said.

"Upon arrival, the team directed the crew to disembark... They also advised other vessels in the vicinity to pull out for precautionary measures," said Tuvilla.

"After cautiously examining the ordnance, the team conducted the removal operation that lasted for an hour. It was safely placed in a box with moist sand," he added.

Tuvilla said the explosive was recovered.

"In coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) – Batangas, said explosive type object was brought to an unoccupied area inside the PPA facility guarded by port security personnel while waiting for the Philippine National Police (PNP) EOD team for turnover and proper disposition," he said. Robina Asido/DMS