By Jennifer P. Rendon
No one was hurt in an explosion inside a residential compound in Sibalom, Antique evening of June 6, 2021.
Major Rex Farren, Sibalom police chief, said the area is occupied by the family of Eric Otayde, former public information officer of Antique provincial government.
Police were called to respond to the Otayde compound at Barangay District 1 around 8 pm Sunday after the explosion.
The compound houses four residential structures which is located some 25 meters from the main road.
Citing investigation report from the Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) team, Farren said an “unexploded ordinance” caused the blast.
Also called unexploded bombs or explosive remnants of war, unexploded ordnance are explosive weapons that did not detonate when they were deployed and still pose a risk of detonation, sometimes many decades after they were used or discarded.
In the case of the Otayde compound, Farren said it appeared that the explosive had been in the area for a long time.
“It could have been there all along after it was moved due to soil erosion,” he said.
There was no indication that the explosive was intentionally lobbed at the compound.
The shrapnel hit the banana tree and other nearby trees.
Farren said they are still conducting further investigation.
Right after the explosion, Otayde posted on his Facebook account that he and his family were all safe.
“My profound thanks to the Sibalom PNP for their immediate action. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.
A former board member of Antique, he was also regarded as a vocal critic of Governor Rhodora Cadiao.
