AFP receives equipment against chemical warfare from US

MANILA, Philippines - The military on Thursday received equipment that would enhance its capabilities to address chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats.

The package, which included protective gear and detection equipment, was handed over by the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency in a ceremony held in Camp Aguinaldo.

Armed Forces Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina received the 501 pieces of CBRN response equipment in behalf of the military. The equipment arrived in the Philippines last September 6.

The dismounted reconnaissance sets kits and outfits package consists of CBRN equipment that can be used for site assessment missions.

It includes individual personal protective equipment like protective suits, gloves and boots and self-contained breathing apparatus; decontamination items like flexible waste water tank and various types of water hoses; consumable support items; reusable support items like toolbox and bolt cutter; training reference materials; power supply facilities; and team communications items. 

The equipment will allow soldiers to reduce risks and gather information about chemical agents, biological agents and other potential chemical hazards. The package can equip a team of 27 CBRN personnel. The package costs around $1 million.

Fallorina admitted that the military has capability gaps in terms of mitigating CBRN threats.

“It is always better to be prepared rather than be sorry,” Fallorina told reporters in an interview.

“We are late in developing this capability but thanks to our counterparts we are given some support and we’re able to start the capability development for this specific area,” he added.

The donated equipment will be used by the CBRN Platoon which is under the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion of the Army Support Command.

Around 35 members of the platoon are now undergoing refresher trainings in Fort Bonifacio.

“The equipment that we have collaboratively worked with and trained on and provided to the Philippine government is exactly the same equipment that we provide to our own military forces and to our civilian counterparts,” said US Army Col. Kenneth Deal of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.