Australian-funded Bomb Data Center set to open

In line with its global counter-terrorism campaign, the Australian government will formally open tomorrow a data facility that will also serve as a nerve center of anti-terror operations in the Philippines.

The Philippine Bomb Data Center (PBDC), located at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters at Camp Crame, will be manned by Australian-trained Filipino bomb experts.

Australian anti-terrorism and bomb specialists will serve as advisers and provide guidance as well as share their expertise in dealing with terrorists.

The Australian government currently has several teams of Federal Police terrrorism and bomb experts in the country, training and assisting local military and police in counter-terrorism tactics.

They were actively involved in the investigation of the SuperFerry bombing in February 2004.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely will be the special guest in the event, described by Camp Crame officials as another milestone in the cooperation between the two countries in its joint effort to address the problem of global terror.

"This is a very important facility and its opening on Monday is timely as terrorism is a worldwide concern," PNP spokesman, Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said.

The opening comes as Americans remember the victims and the heroes of 9/11, the deadliest ever terrorist attack in the history of the US.

Bataoil said the putting up of the PBDC, located at the second floor of the PNP Maritime Building at Camp Crame, was the realization of the RP-Australia Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Project.

Australian-trained Filipino PBDC personnel, under the close supervision of their Australian mentors, will conduct bomb disruptor demonstration to show off their skills on disarming or diffusing bombs.