PNP joins US in explosion investigation training

The US Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance oversaw a training session that taught 24 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) how to better investigate explosions.

In a statement from the US Embassy, members of the PNP and their US counterparts participated in the first Post-Blast Investigation (PBI).

“The partnership between the United States and the Philippines is a counterterrorism success story, and this graduating class reflects the continued commitment of both our nations to address current and future security challenges,” said Jonathan Loden, Senior Regional Security Officer at the US Embassy in the Philippines.

The two-week course consisted of the US representatives teaching their best practices in investigating bomb scenes.

The personnel also took part in field exercises to prepare for real situations.

“The knowledge and skills we gained here are not simply lessons that we leave behind when we return home. They are responsibilities that we must carry with us and apply properly whenever our duties require them,” said PNP Maj. Christopher dela Cruz, who partook in the training.

The PBI is a part of a series of courses facilitated by the US through the Antiterrorism Assistance program. The program has seen 10,000 Filipino law enforcement participate since 2006.

The US Antiterrorism Assistance program will conduct 120 courses, with 2,000 participants from the PNP from October 2026 to September 2027. These training sessions will also include crisis response and counterterrorism skills. —Jean Mangaluz/LDF, GMA News