US donates bomb disposal equipment to PHL police��

THE UNITED States has donated P182.3 million worth of bomb disposal equipment to enhance the Philippine police force’s capability to counter terrorism, according to a statement released by its Embassy in the Philippines on Thursday.����

“This turnover ceremony underscores the increasingly strong relationship between the United States and the Philippines as friends, partners, and allies,” US Ambassador Marykay L. Carlson said.����

“This year, the United States has invested more than P276 million to provide specialized training and equipment to the PNP (Philippine National Police) in the areas of explosive ordnance disposal, crisis response, digital forensics, investigations, and intelligence fusion,” she added.����

These include bomb suits, digital x-ray machines, response vehicles, and tactical medical kits.������

“We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will undoubtedly be a gamechanger in our ability to fulfill our mission to keep our communities safe from terrorism and other forms of criminality,” PNP Director for Logistics Police Major General Ronaldo E. Olay said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan