3 PCG personnel hurt in Zambo firecracker disposal incident

MANILA: Three members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were injured in an explosion that resulted from a firecracker disposal that gone awry in Barangay Cabatangan in Zamboanga City on Monday. In an incident report Wednesday, two PCG petty officer third class (PO3) and one Seaman First Class sustained minor injuries in the incident. The victims, who were not named, are members of its K9 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit - Southwestern Mindanao. 'The Philippine National Police (PNP) report emphasized 'premature detonation' that severely wounded five of the 19 affected uniformed personnel who were part of the joint operation,' it said. The incident occurred following the confiscation of firecrackers in Barangay Tetuan on June 29. On Tuesday, the PNP reported that 27 persons, including 19 uniformed personnel, were wounded in the explosion. Zamboanga City Police Office said the victims include eight civilians, six police officers, three PCG members, five Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, and five membe rs of the Philippine Marine Corps. Source: Philippines News Agency