MANILA, Philippines — The AFP presented to media its first activated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense unit this morning.
The AFP is planning to replicate this unit not only in the Philippine army but also in other major services such as the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force.
Ammunitions Control Center commander Col. Gerry Amante said, the platoon is “ready to respond to any incident whether it is nuclear, chemical, biological, or radiological incident.”
The CBRN defense unit will also support the national security authorities in preparing for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC summit in the country this November.
In line with the activation of the first CBRN platoon of AFP, the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the U.S. Army Pacific gave AFP various equipment amounting to one million U.S. dollars.
Col. Kenneth Deal of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency said, the donated devices are “exactly the same equipment that we provide our own military forces and to our civilian counterparts.”
These include joint chemical agent detector, chemical detection system, chemical containment equipment, environmental air sampler, gas monitor and others.
This aims to enhance the capability of the AFP to respond to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
Though there are no immediate threats of chemical and nuclear warfare in the country, AFP Deputy Chief Of Staff, Major General Edgar Fallorina said it pays to be ready. (UNTV News)
AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Edgar Fallorina during the acceptance of the equipment donated by the US government. (UNTV News)
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