RP, Australia open new forensic lab

Filipino and Australian officials opened yesterday a new forensic explosives laboratory which would boost the government’s fight against terrorism and help identify bombers.

Australian Ambassador Tony Hely and Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Calderon led the opening of the explosives laboratory, which was built with a Australian $450,000 ($348,684) grant from Australia.

Hely said the grant is Australia’s contribution to the Philippine government in fighting global terrorism.

He said Australia has given a total of A$1 million ($775,384) to help the Philippine government fight crime and terrorism.

Calderon said the laboratory will allow investigators to conduct sensitive analysis of explosives used in bombings in the country.

He added that the Philippines is one of the nations in Southeast Asia that are plagued by terrorist groups.

"This new lab will enhance our capability to build airtight evidence versus captured bombers."

Calderon said the laboratory will increase police capability in tracking bombers by identifying their "signatures" through the bombs they use by gathering evidence with scientific methods.

In the absence of an anti-terror bill, the police have no choice but to file charges against suspects with bailable offense and allow suspected terrorist to be released to resume their criminal activities, Calderon said.