Palawan residents find 'stone' that emits smoke, catches fire

Residents from Rizal, Palawan were intrigued after they discovered a stone emitting smoke along the seashore.

According to Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Thursday, the residents thought someone was just about to grill fish.

They realized that they were mistaken, however, because there was actually no one else around.

"Nilapitan po namin. Napansin po namin doon na nagsipagkalat 'yung mga kulay dilaw, ang expectation po namin nun ay may kumalat na ginto," said Allan Alie, Brgy. Latud Kagawad.

When they tried picking it up, their hands were burned by the stone's heat.

"Napaso po siya. Kinakailangan namin pong humanap talaga ng eksperto para po sa aming kaligtasan," Allan said.

In a video they posted on social media, the stone was shown submerged in water, and when they brought it out, it started emitting smoke and eventually caught fire.

According to a geologist, what the residents found was neither stone nor gold.

"Most probably ito ay white phosphorus, isang industrially-manufactured substance na pino-produce mula sa bato na may mataas na phosphate content, which is mostly nagco-contain ng mineral na tinatawag na apatite," Christian Cruz said.

Janir Datukan, a chemist, said that phosphorus is very reactive substance.

"Pag ito ay in-expose mo sa air at nagkaroon ng oxygen 'yan, ang kanyang natural reaction ay aapoy siya para mag-form ng phosphorus oxide," he said.

Because of this characteristic, white phosphorus is used to make fireworks and ammunition.

But experts warn the public not to touch white phosphorus if they encounter one because they can get burned.

It can also cause skin irritation and damage to the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs.

Meanwhile, Allan said that they would turn over the white phosphorus they found to the authorities.

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News