Phl hosts regional non-lethal weapons seminar

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A training session and seminar on the use of non-lethal weapons organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. Forces-Pacific kicked off here today.

The Non-Lethal Weapons Executive Seminar (NOLES) 2014 will feature a field training exercise between Philippine soldiers and US marines and a leadership seminar, said AFP spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala.

Zagala said more than 130 participants from the US, the Philippine National Police and the AFP, and 17 other countries will join this year's NOLES.

The 13-day event will culminate in a bilateral capability demonstration on Aug. 14, followed by a series of briefings which will run from Aug. 14 to 16. There will be subject-matter experts on the use of non-lethal weapons and international humanitarian laws and human rights.

Zagala said non-lethal weapons are designed to incapacitate equipment and personnel with minimal fatalities or permanent injuries and collateral damage. These weapons are used during rescue missions, force protection, checkpoint or convoy operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

 Zagala said that NOLES, now on its 13th iteration, seeks to promote awareness and effective use of non-lethal weapons in low-intensity conflicts. The event is held annually and hosted by various countries in Asia-Pacific region.