Agusan Sur cops get bomb disposal robot from US

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 10, 2024): Agusan Sur cops get bomb disposal robot from US (By Alexander Lopez)

ANTIBOMB. The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office presents its newly acquired explosive ordnance disposal robot provided by the United States Department of State Antiterrorism Assistance Program on Monday (June 10, 2024). The new equipment is seen to boost the provincial police's capability to ward off threats and terrorism. (Photo courtesy of Agusan del Sur-PIO)

BUTUAN CITY – The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (ADSPPO) has bolstered its counterterrorism capabilities by acquiring an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) robot from the United States Department of State Antiterrorism Assistance Program.

On Monday, the ADSPPO presented the EOD robot to the provincial government by demonstrating its capabilities, particularly its proficiency in detecting explosives and safely transporting them to designated disposal areas.

ADSPPO EOD K9 team leader Chief M/Sgt. Alexander Fazon Jr. said the robot can penetrate dangerous situations, such as addressing an improvised explosive device or an unattended package to determine the presence of explosives.

“Our adjacent regions, such as Davao and Cagayan de Oro, have already experienced bombing incidents. The acquisition of this EOD robot is timely for Agusan del Sur and the Caraga Region in our continuing preparations for such incidents,” Fazon said.

The Office of Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) is the US government’s premier provider of counterterrorism training and equipment grants to foreign law enforcement.

ATA was created by the US Congress in 1983 and has delivered counterterrorism training to more than 165,000 law enforcement officials and first responders from more than 150 countries.

The ATA program assists partner nations in dealing with security challenges within their borders and threats to national and regional stability.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1226620