Canada donates $209K worth of anti-biological warfare suits to RP

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 300 modern suits that could be used in responding to possible biological and nuclear attacks by terrorist groups were donated Wednesday by the Canadian government to Filipino authorities. The suits, with a combined worth of C$209,425, could also be used in responding to calamities involving hazardous chemicals. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro received the donation after signing a memorandum of understanding with Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Robert Desjardins. “We are contributing in a very humble way to your efforts but we find it immensely gratifying to see how more and more interoperable resources become not only nationally but also internationally,” said Desjardins after the turnover rites. Teodoro said the pieces of equipment will be distributed among various government agencies including the Special Operations Group of the military, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Department of Health and the Environmental Management Bureau. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, the Philippine Coast Guard, Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine Port Authority, Metro Manila Development Authority, National Bureau of investigation, PNP Special Action Force and the Philippine General Hospital will also benefit from the donations. This is the second time Canada donated such equipment to the Philippines. In March last year, then Defense Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr received similar number of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear suits, with Ebdane even saying that the nuclear tests in North Korea and Pakistan should serve as a “wake-up call to other countries to prepare for such eventualities.” Under the agreement that Teodoro and Desjardins signed, Canadian authorities will train Filipino troops in the use of the CBRN equipment. Teodoro said more similar pieces of equipment are coming from the Canada in the near future. “We were very pleased to be involved with extensive training of people from the Armed Forces (of the Philippines), from the police, from the health services, from the fire services in chemical biological, radiological and incident response and we will continue to work with you with a view to continue the fabulous work that has been done so far,” Desjardins said. On the chances of terrorists launching chemical attacks in the country, Teodoro said: “I think they have no capability but its better to be prepared. This equipment will not only be used in case of CBRN attack. These can be used in ordinary chemical spill or ordinary gas explosion, for example.” - GMANews.TV