Scavenger killed, pal hurt in WW2 bomb explosion

Never tinker even with a vintage bomb.

Police issued the warning after a 48-year-old scavenger was killed when a vintage bomb that he and a companion tried to open past midnight yesterday in Barangay Pakigne, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu exploded.

Michael Respecio suffered severe injuries in the body and was declared dead when he was brought to the Minglanilla District Hospital. Respecio’s companion Leonilo Adlawan was taken to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.

PO1 Alvin George Traya, desk officer of the Minglanilla Police Station, said it was not immediately known where exactly the two men found the World War II bomb.

Traya said the two men brought the explosive to a shanty in Sitio Kamanggahan.

Thinking that gold can be found inside, the two tried to cut the old bomb into half using a grinder.

The pounding caused the bomb to explode, police said.

The two men were hit by splinters and metal fragments when the old bomb exploded, said Traya.

The explosion also damaged the shanty. Nearby residents were awakened by the loud explosion.

PO1 Traya said vintage bombs should not be opened as some could still explode.

Discovery of vintage bombs should be reported to the police right away, he added.

The area where the bomb was found should be vacated immediately and the finders should wait for a bomb squad to dispose of the explosive.

PO1 Traya said junkshop owners have been briefed to immediately report to the police should someone try to sell vintage bombs.