Bomb-detecting robots to help cops secure Apec meet

The anti-terrorism unit of the United States government donated on Monday 3 explosives ordnance disposal robots, 6 Ford Ranger pick-up trucks, and several bomb investigation materials and kits to bolster the police’s security for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit from Nov. 17 to Nov. 20. PHOTO COURTESY OF PNP PIO

Robots that can detect bombs and explosives will help policemen protect world leaders and foreign delegates during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Metro Manila on Nov. 17 and 20.  

The “new recruits” of the PNP–three MK3 explosives ordnance disposal robots–will help the cops ensure that all venues that will be used for the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) will be free of any explosives.

The anti-terrorism unit of the United States government donated on Monday three EOD robots, six Ford Ranger pick-up trucks, and several bomb investigation materials and kits to bolster police security for the event next week.

US President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet are among the world leaders attending the event. Close to 10,000 delegates from the 21 Apec-member countries are also expected to arrive in Manila for the AELM.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said EOD personnel and canine units will be deployed in all venues of Apec meetings, billeting areas of delegates, and routes the guests will take.

“Part of the security component of every billet hotel for Apec is an EOD-K9. We would like to make sure that hotels are properly screened and that there are no strange devices there,” he said.

The donated bomb investigation materials will be distributed to the Metro Manila police, Special Action Force and Mindanao police, said Marquez.

Thomas McDonough, representing the US Department of State Anti-terrorism Assistance (DS-ATA) Program in the Philippines, handed over to the Philippine National Police the six vehicles and 32 EOD equipment during the flag-raising ceremony in Camp Crame.

“These equipment that we are able to donate to our friends in the PNP comes in a very timely moment. We all know that we are getting ready for a very large undertaking job of Apec. The PNP will be shouldering most of the burden, other good organizations of course, but the PNP will have the day-in and day-out work of the Apec so we are very glad that the equipment are going to the Apec efforts,” McDonough said in a brief speech.

“I was joking with the chief (Marquez) that you have three new recruits now in the PNP–the three robots that just joined you. I know you will make them welcome,” McDonough added in jest.

The 32 EOD equipment includes nine post blast investigation kits, 20 explosives incident counter-measures (EIC) kits, three MK3 EIC robots, and six pick-up trucks.

Over the weekend, the PNP received four chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives mobile detection vans from the US Department of Energy.