NCRPO to train bus security men, conductors on bomb detection

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will train bus security officers and conductors on how to spot bombs and deal with a bomb threat situation as part of preparations for the opening of classes on June 6.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said the bomb-spotting seminar to be presided by experts from the Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) of the NCRPO will be held for five Fridays starting June 3.

"As the opening of classes is only days away, we want bus terminal security officers and bus conductors to know how to spot bombs and what to do during bomb threat situations," Querol told The STAR.

The seminar was conceived during Querol’s dialogue with at least 25 bus operators and security officials at the NCRPO’s satellite office at the Station 10 headquarters of the Central Police District (CPD) in Kamuning, Quezon City.

He initiated the dialogue to ensure a peaceful and orderly exodus of students from the provinces into Metro Manila when they report for their first day of class on June 6 and June 14.

The NCRPO chief said bus operators are aware that public transport is often targeted by terrorist groups to sow fear.

"They brought up a number of problems, among them is the threat of bombings and we agreed to hold seminars for their security officers and conductors," Querol said.

The bus operators also asked the NCRPO chief to secure common terminals like the one located in Dau, Pampanga to prevent terrorists from using the area as their "jump off" point.

Querol called the attention of Senior Superintendent Dindo Espina, Pampanga PNP provincial director, to deal with the problem.

The NCRPO chief said another problem brought up by operators was the rampant bus robberies in Metro Manila and neighboring areas.