Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in Tawi-Tawi, Barangay Tapian Sokah, Tandubas area, Philippines on Tue 13th September 2022

Camp Navarro, Calarian, Zamboanga City – September 16, 2022 Combined elements of the military and police safely recovered and disposed of unexploded ordnances in Tawi-Tawi on September 13, 2022. Acting on information received, personnel from the 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 which resulted in the recovery of two UXOs, one with one round of 81mm High Explosive and another with nine rounds of 81mm High Explosives. Based on the assessment of the EOD Team, the recovered ordnances were unused, completely and badly corroded, and the lot numbers/markings were already indiscernible. The explosives were unsafe for travel by sea and require immediate disposal due to their physical condition. Upon the recommendation of the EOD Team, troops of the MBLT immediately coordinated with Tandubas Local Government Unit and Municipal Police Station for the conduct of disposal operation of the recovered ordnances. The disposal was executed at Silantup Beach, Barangay Silantup, same municipality. According to Brig. Gen. Romeo Racadio, Commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, the operation was successfully conducted without any untoward incident and no damage to public and private properties. Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., Commander of Western Mindanao Command, commended the troops of JTF Tawi-Tawi for their prompt action that preempted the accidental explosion of the ordnances.