RP-US launch effort to detect terrorist shipments of nuclear material

Equipment Will Help Thwart Attempts to Smuggle Components for Nuclear Weapons and “Dirty Bombs” through Seaports

Manila —The Philippine and US governments recently signed announced an agreement to install special equipment at the Port of Manila to detect hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material. This agreement effort to will further strengthen their work together in the war on terrorism. by signing an agreement to install special equipment at the Port of Singapore — the world’s busiest in terms of tonnage — to detect hidden shipments of nuclear and other radioactive material.

US Chargé d’Affaires Joseph A. Mussomeli signed the cooperative agreement on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration with Department of Science and Technology Secretary Estrella Alabastro of the Philippines . Commissioner Lock Wai Han to sign a cooperative agreement for the new program aimed at thwarting potential illicit shipments of weapons material.

“The United States and the Philippines both recognize the need to remain vigilant against the threat posed by the trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials through the global maritime shipping network,” said Mussomeli.

“This initiative is yet another example of the excellent cooperation in the overall relationship between the United States and the Philippines , and will further our mutual international nonproliferation and anti-terrorist efforts”, he added

Singapore will be the second country in Southeast Asia to utilize this type of detection system.The RP-US agreement falls under the Department of Energy’sEnergy Department’ NNSA Megaports Initiative, part of the United States Government’s “Second Line of Defense” program, which is designed to work with foreign governments to deter, detect, and interdict illicit shipments of nuclear and radioactive materials.

On the other hand, Sec. Alabastro said “This is one big stride in strengthening the world’s nuclear security regime”. The July 19 agreement also raised the country’s ability to prevent “illicit movements of radioactive” materials, she added.

The Philippines will be one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to utilize this type of detection system. The specialized radiation detection technology was developed by DOE Energy Department laboratories as part of overall U.S. nuclear security efforts to guard against the proliferation of nuclear weapons material.

The Megaports Initiative supports foreign countries in deploying radiation detection capability at key seaports to screen cargo containers for nuclear and other radioactive materials.