NAIA security officers warned of 'binary' bomb, nerve toxin

MANILA, Philippines - Manila International Airport Authority general manager Alfonso Cusi ordered assistant general manager for Security and Emergency Angel Atutubo to brief all airport security officers and media men covering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals regarding the new bomb technology called “binary system.”

Atutubo said the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported that the new technology includes the mixture of two chemical components, a white solid and red liquid that produces an explosive device.

A binary explosive device is a type of explosive that requires the mixing of two separate chemicals before detonation. A measured amount of white solid added to another chemical could also detonate when in contact with heat, he said.

Atutubo said the other binary technology involves the mixture of two chemicals that creates a nerve toxin. The toxin is a very dangerous mixture because each chemical component is likely poisonous and a few drops of the chemical on the skin could kill a person after a few minutes of contact, he added.

Cusi said since this new technology has no metal or electronic moving parts, the binary explosive is almost undetectable. He said he will look for possible scanning equipment that can detect binary system devices.

He also asked members of the Airline Operators Council (AOC) to require their pilots and crews to wear proper identification card while in the airport terminals.

Atutubo said all personnel will undergo a security briefing on Feb. 15 regarding this new bomb technology.