Manila sets up 'world class' bomb data centre

Manila: The Philippines now has greater capability in preventing future bomb attacks with the establishment of its own bomb data centre, National Police Director General Oscar Calderon said.

Calderon said the country has added more teeth in the fight against terrorism with the establishment of a "world class" bomb data centre with the help of the Australian government.

"We have already transformed the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bomb Data Centre into a world-class facility with the support of the Australian Federal Police," Calderon said.

According to Calderon, Filipino policemen had been receiving training from the Australian Federal Police since 2005 in analysing bomb blasts and determining what types of explosives were used in the attack.

Active role

He said Australia's experience with the October 2002 bomb attacks in Bali, Indonesia, that killed scores of Australian holiday-makers had prompted Canberra to take a more active role in addressing the threat of terror in the region. But other than the skills upgrading, Australia has also provided equipment to the bomb data centre.

Australian Ambassador Tony Hely opened PNP Forensic Explosives Laboratory early this month as a sign of improving ties between Australia and the Philippines on ensuring security in the region.

Contribution

"This is our own contribution to the Philippines in fighting global terrorism, a continuation and consolidation of our teamwork to fight terror," Hely said during the opening of the state-of-the-art laboratory of the PNP Crime Laboratory Group.

Calderon said since the bomb centre was opened, the laboratory had played a central role in filing charges against a number of suspected terrorists from the Abu Sayyaf and the Southeast region-based Jemaah Islamiyah.

Supt Albert Ignatius Ferro, head of the bomb data centre, said the centre provides technical assistance, operational support, enhancement training and strategic information on use of explosives in both domestic and international incidents.