PH-US landmine disposal exercises in Tarlac

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 10): PH-US landmine disposal exercises in Tarlac

Bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States continued despite recent developments that have revived a debate over the presence of American troops in the country.

In Tarlac City, United States Navy and Philippine Army bomb experts have partnered to enhance their capability in dealing with threats posed by landmines and other explosive devices.

Capt. Craig W. Thomas, military public affairs liaison at the US embassy, said sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 (EODMU5) stationed in Guam conducted a Humanitarian Mine Assistance (HMA) Level One training course with the Philippine Army from October 27 until yesterday.

“They are here to present safe and effective ways to remediate and dispose of explosive threats from unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war (ERW),” said Thomas.

During the training, the EODMU5 personnel shared techniques and best practices to members of the Army EOD Battalion. This is to increase their ability to work together to train future technicians on the skill sets of removing land mines and other ordnance from the Philippines.

“HMA is a “train-the-trainer” program. By the end of the course, each of these 12 soldiers will be able to effectively train other Philippine Army soldiers in HMA Level One,” said Thomas.

Overseen by the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) at U.S. Embassy Manila, the program aims to relieve human suffering by helping remove land mines, which maim and kill innocents, obstruct emergency assistance activities, hamper economic development, and impede free movement of citizens.

The HMA program also helps develop an indigenous mine action capability so the country can further eliminate the threat of land mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and /or abandoned ordnance, Thomas explained.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the conduct of the training, which officials said will benefit both the military and civilian communities. “We can use the skill to save lives and also in educating the people on the bad effects of using landmines in armed conflicts,” said AFP public affairs office (PAO) chief Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc.

The use of mines by insurgent groups remains a big concern for the government.

http://www.mb.com.ph/ph-us-landmine-disposal-exercises-in-tarlac/