Manila Gets U.S. Chemical Weapons Emergency Equipment

U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones speaks with unidentified Filipino officials during the hand-over of chemical weapons emergency equipment in Manila.

MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 22 Feb) – Washington donated chemical weapons emergency equipment worth some $150,000 to the Philippines’ Bureau of Fire, the U.S. Embassy said Thursday.

It said U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones donated the equipment to the BFP’s Special Rescue Unit to help them resolve incidents involving chemical, biological, and radiological agents or weapons.

The ceremony was held Tuesday at the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).

"The equipment, which came from the U.S. Department of State’s Anti-terrorism Assistance Program, included a rapid response trailer, chemical detection equipment, air compressors, decontamination clothing and kits, evidence collection equipment, hazardous material safety gear, and various types of medical and triage tools," it said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.

The BFP’s Special Rescue Unit was part of a group of Philippine law enforcement, public safety, and health officials who were trained on the use of the equipment during a three-week course in January provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Anti-terrorism Assistance Program. (Mindanao Examiner)