Roberto Cabugwason, 23, who mistook the live bomb for scrap metal, died on the spot. He was preparing to weigh the material at the Starpons Junk Shop in Purok 13, Barangay Poblacion, according to police reports quoted by Radyo Ukay, a local radio station.
Another vendor, Josie Estor, 28, who stood nearby, was seriously injured and died a few hours later at the city's Sanitarium Hospital.
Her husband Simplicio, 31, was hit by splinters in his torso's right side, right shoulder, and belly.
Five others were hit by splinters and are now undergoing treatment at the Laviña Hospital.
The other victims were Angel Cabasag, 23; Jason Gomez, 17; Renie Talaman, 18; Dioed Pasquin, 17; and Ronelo Bajo, 21. All of them were identified as vendors of junk items who were at the shop when the bomb exploded.
Radyo Ukay Reporter Inday Sistoso Emeterio told MindaNews the old bomb, suspected to have been bought from Kibangay, Lantapan, Bukidnon was brought
to the shop earlier that afternoon.
Valencia City police chief Supt. Amadeo Tabequero confirmed the report and said it was a “powerful explosion” but that police have not yet identified the type of bomb.
He said they have sent the bomb debris to a police laboratory in Cagayan de Oro City for verification.
Radyo Ukay reported the police's detonation of a recovered vintage bomb or what police call "unexploded ordnance" (UXO) earlier this year in a remote barangay in Valencia City.
Tabequero warned the public against tinkering with vintage materials suspected to be live bombs and urged the public to coordinate with the police for assistance.
A vintage bomb weights at least 50 kilos and would cost around P500 at P10 per kilo if sold in a junk shop as scrap metal.
In April this year, a junk shop owner in General Santos City reported to the police a live 105-mm bomb used in howitzer cannons with a model that dates back to the 1940s or during World War II. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)