Unattended box not IED, but bananas

AN unattended box suspected to contain an improvised explosive device, later to be found to only contain bananas, caused panic and resulted in heavy traffic in Calinan Poblacion in Davao City on Tuesday morning, May 3.

According to the Calinan Police Station, the incident was reported around 10 a.m. wherein the unattended item was left near a bakeshop along Davao-Bukidnon Road.

Police authorities, along with the Central 911, immediately cordoned the area to inspect the item.

Upon inspection, it only contained bananas. The Calinan Police are still investigating the incident, and are still identifying the person who left the said item.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief Colonel Alberto Lupaz, in a text message to SunStar Davao, reminded the public to be vigilant for any suspected items and individuals, and immediately report it to authorities.

“Don’t touch all unattended bags etc. Report immediately to the nearest police stations or call the police,” Lupaz said.

Authorities also reminded that bomb-related pranks are prohibited under Presidential Decree No. 1727 or “Declaring As Unlawful the Malicious Dissemination of False information or the Willful Making of any Threat Concerning Bombs, Explosives or Any Similar Device or Means of Destruction and Imposing Penalties Therefor.”