MAGUINDANAO, Philippines - The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of the 6th Infantry Division on Saturday disposed of around 30 explosives in a quarry site in barangay Lomboy, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The assorted explosives consisted of fourteen 60mm mortars, eleven 81mm mortars, three 105mm mortars, 1 ROG and 1 improvised explosive device.

According to 6th EOD team leader, Capt, Francis Senoron, the unexploded ordnances were recovered at Sitio Tiba, Bugasan Sur at Matanog, last February 10, and the improvised explosive device was recovered at sitio Bombaran, Tugaig, Barira, also last February 10.

Prior to the disposal, the EOD team gave media and other military personnel safety measures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) during the disposal operation.

The ideal distance of a person from the blast site should be 500 meters to avoid from getting hurt by fragments coming from the explosives.

Residents in the area were also advised by the EOD not to come close to the quarry site. The EOD team said people living in the area are used to disposal activities.

The EOD team slowly and carefully piled the explosives in a hole or crater. After piling them up, the EOD team used a blasting wire and then hid in a safe place.

After a few seconds, the team triggered the explosion, creating smoke followed by fragments falling onto the ground.

6th Infantry Division public information officer Col. Benjamin Hao said that theses explosives are considered to be delicate and should no longer be kept for a long period of time.

Based on military procedures, all unsafe explosives must be disposed of as soon as possible.

Hao added that this is also to avoid the use of explosives in terroristic activities by other elements.

On April 6, the EOD team will again schedule another disposal of other explosives.