US donates P182-million worth of bomb disposal equipment to PNP

The United States government on Wednesday turned over P182.3 million worth of bomb disposal equipment to the Philippine National Police.

The donated Explosive Counter Measures Kits include bomb suits, digital x-ray machines, seven Ford Ranger pickup trucks, and tactical medical kits, the US embassy said in a statement.

The items are seen to “enhance the capabilities of the PNP (Explosive and Ordnance Division)/K9 Group to search, identify, and neutralize improvised explosive devices and facilitate the collection of evidence to be used in legal proceedings.”

“We are extremely grateful for this donation, which will undoubtedly be a game-changer in our ability to fulfill our mis- sion to keep our communities safe from terrorism and other forms of criminality,” PNP Director for Logistics Police Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay said.

US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson said at the turnover ceremony

Duterte, on behalf of Davao City signed agreements with the Senior Adviser of the Jinjiang Municipal Government, Mr. Zhang Wenxian, further strengthening the relationship between Davao City and Jinjiang City in various areas of cooperation.

The parties signed the Framework Agreement between Davao City and Jinjiang City for Economic, Trade, and Business Development after the courtesy call of a 38-man delegation from Jinjiang, composed of government officials and high-ranking business executives, on February 28, 2023, at the Arcadia Event Center.

Among the companies present are Anta Sports Products Limited, a Chinese sports equipment multinational corporation headquartered in Jinjiang, and Panpan, a food manufacturing firm that focuses on agricultural production, distribution, and marketing of packed food items, which expressed interest in doing business in Davao City.

Also present during the Courtesy Call is the Southeast Asia head of Xiamen Airlines, signaling their intent to resume the Davao-Jinjiang direct flight.

In his message, Mayor Duterte expressed his appreciation for the visit of the Jinjiang delegation and said that Davao City is open to any activity that will benefit its people. He also added that during his visit to Jinjiang in 2019, he envisioned having companies like Anta and Panpan to do business in Davao to open employment opportunities in the city.

He also said that the local government does its best to provide a conducive business environment for all businesses and make doing business easier and more convenient.

Mr. Zhang Wenxian said that he brought these businesses to Davao City with the aim of having them get acquainted with the city and eventually consider doing business here.

Davao City Investment and Promotion Officer-in-Charge April Marie Dayap, in her speech during the event, said “the