'Explosive' near Puerto Princesa Underground River just fireworks

The so-called improvised explosive that briefly affected trips to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River turned out to be fireworks for a bikini pageant at a hotel resort Sunday night, local officials said.

 

PPUR's Jan Elmer Badilla said the "grenade-like" device was part of the resort’s anniversary at Sitio Sabang, state-run Philippines News Agency reported.

 

Badilla said the contractor for Sunday evening’s fireworks display approached police to explain that it was accidentally left at the wharf.

 

On Monday, a vendor found the device and notified police. Local authorities neutralized it via controlled detonation.

 

The discovery of the device had briefly affected trips to the PPUR.

 

Meanwhile, Badilla said Puerto Princesa police head Senior Superintendent Abad Osit has asked the contractor to explain why they did not get a permit for the hotel event. —KG, GMA News