PNP’s chemical warfare team deployed to assist gov’t vs new coronavirus

The PNP’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) is placed on standby following government’s plan to repatriate Filipinos in China, where the 2019 Novel coronavirus is rapidly spreading. Photo by Gabriel Pabico Lalu/ INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has placed on standby its Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) team to assist government efforts against the 2019 Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

At a press briefing Monday, PNP Chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said the CBRNE team — composed of field officers, nurses, medical technicians, and doctors — may also help in screening the passengers and assisting in the repatriation of Filipinos in China.

CBRNE-ready vans were also provided, including equipment used to contain CBRNE threats.

“(PNP) has made available a team of CBRNE, trained medical personnel from the PNP Health Service who may be deployed to assist concerned agencies in the repatriation of Filipinos based in China and other countries affected by the 2019-nCoV ARD,” Gamboa said.

“At present, the PNP has a ready complement of 105 CBRNE-trained personnel from SAF (Special Action Force) Health Service, CrimeLab (Crime Laboratory), and EOD-K9 (Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Canine Group), that can be called upon to respond to CBRNE events,” he added.

Gamboa said that the actions of the CBRNE team would depend on the lead agency’s needs, in this case, the Department of Health (DOH).

He said the deployment of the PNP team will primarily depend on the DOH.

“Kasi sila ‘yong overall in-charge nito (because they are the ones in-charge with these affairs), we do not move on our own,” Gamboa said.

“We’re just presenting na meron kaming ganitong pwersa whom they can use, actually hindi naman talaga ito pang-ganitong emergency na may sakit, but this is for chemical warfare.  But equally, they are protected, so they can be used, nilalatag lang namin na may capability kaming ganito,” he explained.

(We’re just presenting that we have this kind of force which they can use, because actually, this is not for emergencies involving diseases, this is for chemical warfare. But equally, they are protected, so they can be used, we’re just presenting that we have this capability.)

After the 2019-nCoV started spreading through all regions of mainland China, calls for the repatriation of Filipinos surfaced.  The latest coronavirus strain, often compared to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, originated in Wuhan City, China.

As of now, more than 17,000 individuals have been infected with the 2019-nCoV, with 361 persons — including one Chinese national in the Philippines — confirmed dead.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that they would start repatriation operations this week. After the Filipinos have been repatriated, they will be subjected to 14 days of mandatory quarantine, in accordance with DOH guidelines.

“We are just awaiting for DOH, kasi naman ang deployment ng PNP will primarily depend with DOH. Kasi sila ‘yong overall in-charge nito, we do not move on our own,” the PNP head clarified.