PASAY CITY, Philippines — In a discovery that briefly halted ground operations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, that several vintage bombs were unearthed within the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) complex. The munitions, believed to be remnants from World War II, were found along one of the airport’s taxiways.
The recovery operation began on Sunday, April 26, after airport personnel reported suspected explosives during routine excavation or maintenance work.
- Initial Find: The PNP Aviation Security Group (Avsecu) Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and K9 Unit initially recovered six 50-pound general-purpose bombs.
- Further Clearing: Expanded searches in the immediate vicinity led to the discovery of an additional four 50-pound bombs and 18 25-pound bombs.
- Final Tally: A total of 28 vintage explosives were removed from the site.
Police officials assured the public and travelers that the situation was handled without risk to life or airport infrastructure.
- Inert Status: Upon inspection by EOD specialists, all recovered bombs were assessed to be inert, meaning they no longer posed an active explosive danger.
- Documentation: The materials were transported to the Avsecu Headquarters for formal documentation and safekeeping before being turned over for proper disposal.
- No Incident: The operation concluded at approximately 2:50 p.m. on Sunday without any untoward incidents or flight disruptions.
The discovery of World War II-era munitions is a relatively common occurrence in Metro Manila, particularly in areas like Pasay and Manila, which saw heavy aerial bombardment and ground combat during the liberation of the city in 1945.
- Construction Risk: Many of these “vintage bombs” remain buried under the city’s infrastructure, often coming to light during modern construction projects or airport expansions.
- Safety Protocols: The PNP continues to advise construction firms and government agencies to immediately stop work and notify authorities if metallic objects resembling munitions are encountered during excavation.
The recovery at NAIA follows similar recent finds at other historical sites in the capital, including the UP Diliman campus, reinforcing the need for specialized EOD units during urban development.