PCG men train to detect WMDs, bombs in ships

MANILA, Philippines - Days after reported threats of a terrorist attack in the country, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced yesterday some of its personnel are undergoing a course to improve their capability to detect weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and explosives hidden in ships.

The course will be taught by members of the United States Coast Guard.

“The goal is the non-proliferation of WMDs, conventional firearms, explosives, hazardous and dangerous commodities,” PCG-Special Operations Group and Anti-Terrorism Unit head Lieutenant Commander Marco Antonio Gines said.

The course began yesterday and will run until Jan. 27. Gines said there is a need to upgrade their knowledge since WMDs and similar devices are being smuggled piecemeal or as raw materials.

The PCG is one of the government agencies whose personnel are allowed to board ships even if they are still at sea. Gines said they are authorized to search a vessel even if they do not possess a search warrant for as long as they have information on the presence of an illegal substance or an irregularity.