U.S. trains Filipino law enforcement in investigating blast scenes

PAGADIAN – Twenty-four Filipino law enforcement personnel are now better equipped to investigate explosions after completing a specialized program designed to sharpen their investigative methods and tactics.  Facilitated by the U.S. Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program, the inaugural Post-Blast Investigation (PBI) course helps ensure that perpetrators are caught and brought to justice, strengthening the security of both the Philippines and the United States.

During the two-week course, U.S. law enforcement personnel trained their counterparts from various Philippine National Police units from across the country by sharing American best practices in investigating bomb scenes, identifying materials, and preserving and analyzing crime scene evidence.  The police personnel also underwent field exercises that prepared them for real-world situations.

“The partnership between the United States and the Philippines is a counterterrorism success story, and this graduating class reflects the continued commitment of both our nations to address current and future security challenges,” said Jonathan Loden, Senior Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.

“The knowledge and skills we gained here are not simply lessons that we leave behind when we return home.  They are responsibilities that we must carry with us and apply properly whenever our duties require them,” said Maj. Christopher dela Cruz, one of the 24 policemen who took the two-week course.

The PBI course is one of several courses facilitated by the United States under the U.S. Department of State’s ATA program.  Since 2006, more than 10,000 Filipino law enforcement personnel have taken various ATA courses that helped improve their capabilities to investigate, respond to, and mitigate terrorist threats and incidents.

From October 2026 to September 2027, the ATA program will conduct 120 courses and train 2,000 Philippine police officers in post-blast and cyber investigations, crisis response, and counterterrorism-related skills.