Flags of the Philippines and the United States. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA Philippines — The Philippine National Police received Wednesday $3.3 million worth of explosive countermeasure equipment from the US Office of Diplomatic Security Services (DSS).
The donated equipment were turned over at Camp Bagong Diwa as part of the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program of the US-DSS
“With the donated equipment, we will be able to provide our highly skilled bomb technicians and K9 handlers across the country with the necessary resources to carry out their duties more effectively,” PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) Director Albert Magno said during the ceremony.
“These items will enable us to enhance our operations and better detect explosive threats in various settings such as airports, seaports, other vital installations, as well as public events,” he added.
The PNP EOD received Ford Ranger Trucks, SEEKEr Explosive Detectors, Blast Suits, and Tactical Medical Equipment, among others.
PNP officials as well as US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson and other embassy officials and staff attended the turnover ceremony.
“Today’s ceremony underscores the increasingly strong relationship between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies,” Carlson said.
The Philippines have so far received more than $100 million in assistance from the US through the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program which started in 1986, according to Carlson.—Vance Chan, Inquirer.net, Trainee
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