US donates US$3.3mil equipment to Philippine counterterrorism campaign
The donations come from the Office of Antiterrorism Assistance Programme of the Diplomatic Security Services, the US embassy, in Manila.
MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) have received US$3.3 million worth of state-of-the-art equipment from the US government to boost their counterterrorism efforts, a police official said.
The donations came from the Office of Antiterrorism Assistance Programme of the Diplomatic Security Services, the American embassy, in Manila.
US ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay L. Carlson formally turned over the donations to the Regional Explosives Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.
The donated equipment included 31 Bomb suits, 37 Digital SCANX, 40 x-ray sources, 10 explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) bomb suit batteries, 33 high-risk search techniques kits, 13 seeker-e kits and seven Ford Ranger pickup trucks.
This equipment will significantly enhance the PNP’s capabilities in detecting, preventing, and responding to terrorist threats in the country, Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay, the PNP Director for Logistics, who received the donation on behalf of the PNP, said in a statement Wednesday.
The turn-over ceremony was attended by ranking officials from both the PNP and the US embassy, wherein they emphasised the importance of the donation in strengthening the partnership between the two countries in addressing security concerns.
"We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer in our ability to fulfill our mission to keep our communities safe from terrorism and other forms of criminality,” said Olay.
“This donation also highlights the strong partnership between the Philippine National Police and the American embassy, and we are deeply appreciative of this gesture of support from our American allies."
Meanwhile, Carlson stressed the US government’s commitment to supporting the Philippines in its fight against terrorism.
“The United States remains steadfast in its friendship and commitment to the Government of the Philippines, and we are very proud of our continuing partnership in the fight against terrorism,” she said.
“I am confident that working together, we will be able to deter, interdict, and prevent acts of terrorism.”
Col. Albert Magno, acting director, PNP EOD/K9 Group, the end-user of the donated equipment, assured the public that the equipment will be put to good use in serving the Filipino people and protecting them from the threat of terrorism.
At the event, the PNP EOD/K9 Group exhibited their proficiency in handling explosive devices and identifying prohibited substances through the utilisation of expertly trained K9s and other operational robotic machinery.
The Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program of the Diplomatic Security Service provides antiterrorism equipment and training to law enforcement agencies of partner nations globally, said the statement.
With its establishment in 1983, ATA has trained over 150,000 first responders and law enforcement officials from more than 150 countries in counterterrorism tactics.
The ATA support to the PNP began in 1986, when the ATA programme was created by the US government to provide antiterrorism training and equipment to law enforcement agencies of partner nations throughout the world.
Since then, the ATA programme has been instrumental in enhancing the PNP's capabilities in counterterrorism and other law enforcement operations through the provision of various forms of assistance, including training, technical assistance, and equipment.