INTER-AGENCY PROTOCOL FOR

EXPLOSIVES-RELATED
INCIDENTS
LEANDRO R MENDOZA
Executive Secretary
Chairman, ATC

FERNANDO L MESA
UnderSecretary
Chief, NCTU

DELFIN N BANGIT
General AFP
Chief of Staff

JESUS A VERZOSA, CEO V

Police Director General
Chief, PNP

ATTY. NESTOR M MANTARING

Director, NBI

WILFREDO D TAMAYO
Admiral PCG

ROLANDO M BADILLA, CESO IV

Director BFP
Chief, BFP
 HISTORY

 July 2007 - PBDC drafted the PNP-AFP

Protocol on ERI Investigation.
 October 2007 - Final draft was
endorsed to ATC (put on hold)
 November 26, 2009 - the Inter-Agency
Protocol on Explosive-Related Incident’s
Investigation was finally signed during
the 25th ATC Meeting at Malacañang,
Manila.
 PURPOSE
 PNP, AFP, NBI and PCG under the watch of
the Anti-Terrorism Council formulated this
protocol to guide first responders.
AFP/PNP/NBI/PCG Explosives Ordnance
Disposal (EOD)/Bomb Technicians, PNP/NBI
investigators and PNP Crime Laboratory
Scene of Crime Operation (SOCO)
personnel /NBI Forensic Experts during the
investigation of bombing incidents and
other incidents involving explosive devices
and materials.
 FIRST RESPONDER

 any person or unit who first arrived

at the scene and shall endeavor and
render assistance to the victim and
to protect and secure the incident
scene.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 Consistent with its mandates, the PNP and

the NBI will jointly conduct investigation of
any case of explosive incident with the PNP
as the lead agency.

 The AFP/PCG shall make available to the

PNP and NBI units, investigative, legal and
technical assistance in the investigation and
prosecution of the explosives related
incidents.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 The AFP EOD Teams / PCG / BFP shall extend

technical assistance and other necessary support
to the PNP / NBI to ensure the effective and
efficient investigation as well as the prosecution of
the abovementioned cases.

 Render safe procedures (RSP) and IED recovery

will be the sole discretion of the
AFP/PNP/NBI/PCG EOD team that has already
taken first cognizance of an IED in the
incident scene.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 Security/Protection of the crime scene shall be the

responsibility of the local police unit or the military
units in the area. Police line must be established
immediately.

 In case of bombing/explosion incident, the police line

should be extended at a distance of 50% of the total
distance from the seat of explosion to the farthest
fragment. Functional units must identify the area
designated for the command post, media area, etc.
outside the police line. Only authorized persons are
allowed to enter the scene.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES

 When local agencies herein are unable to

conduct higher level technical exploitation
of evidence (i.e. DNA, radio frequency, cell
phone and latent fingerprints), the use of
allied foreign partners and laboratory
resident in the region is encouraged
subject to existing evidence management
procedure.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1 General Considerations

 5.1.1. First responders shall cordon
the area to preserve and secure crime
scene. They will cause the immediate
evacuation of the injured, maintain
order, and control the crowd.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1.2. The PNP/AFP/NBI/PCG EOD

and Bomb Technicians shall conduct
RSP of primary or secondary devices
found in the area. Prior to their entry
into the crime scene, they should allow
themselves to be swabbed by PNP Crime
Laboratory personnel/NBI Forensic
Experts.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1.3 DO NOT TOUCH, REMOVE, OR

ALTER ANY PIECE OF EVIDENCE. SOCO
personnel and NBI Forensic Experts are the
only authorized persons to process,
document, and conduct laboratory
examination of gathered physical evidence.
PNP/AFP/NBI/ PCG EOD and bomb
technicians however, may join the search
for bomb parts/fragments in tandem with
PNP Crime Laboratory personnel and NBI
Forensic Experts.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1.4 In the absence or non-availability of PNP

SOCO, the local police with the assistance of
the responding AFP/PNP/NBI/PCG EOD can
process (identify, search, pre-mark, take
photograph and collect) possible pieces of
evidence in a blast site following the appropriate
procedures to avoid contamination of said pieces
of evidence. That after the documentation and
collection of said pieces of evidence; same will be
transmitted to the PNP Crime Laboratory or NBI
Forensic Laboratory for laboratory tests and
analysis and maintain chain of custody.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1.5. Only authorized personnel can

enter the crime scene and MUST wear
gloves, shoe covers, mask, and if needed
hard hats before entering the crime
scene and avoid touching any piece of
evidence thereat to ensure that no cross
contamination will occur.
5. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

 5.1.10 All information pertaining to

incidents related to the illegal use of
explosives, including seizures of
explosives during raids/operations
shall be reported to the Philippine
Bomb Data Center for inclusion in its
database.
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT

 Bomb Threat – An information or

warning, written or oral, claiming
knowledge that a dangerous device,
such as a bomb or similar type of
explosives, has been or will be
placed in a building, aircraft, sea
craft or other facilities with the
intent to harm people and destroy
properties.
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT
 5.2.1 The following duties and responsibilities shall
be performed by PNP patrol personnel and mobile
patrol units responding to bomb threats,
found/discovered suspected devices or explosives:

5.2.1.1 Upon receipt of information:

 5.2.1.1.1 Determine the exact location of the
establishment under threat.
 5.2.1.1.2 Instruct the security officer of the establishment
to conduct a bomb search while proceeding to the area.
 5.2.1.1.3 Proceed immediately to the scene.
 5.2.1.1.4 Alert EOD team for bomb search mission and
Fire Department before departure.
 5.2.1.1.5 Notify higher Headquarters of the report
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT
5.2.1.2 Upon arrival at the scene
 5.2.1.2.1 Confirm the reported bomb threat:
Notify EOD team for a bomb sweep.
 5.2.1.2.2 Cause a suspicious/suspected
device search to be made with person familiar
with the location.
 5.2.1.2.3 Unless a device is found, first
responder may not order an evacuation of the
affected area but may inform the person in
charge of the property of the need to
evacuate. Assist in evacuation of personnel
should it be necessary.
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT
 5.2.1.3 Do not touch, tamper with or disarm any
suspected device, explosive or ordinance.
 5.2.1.4 If a suspected device is located/found,
cause the evacuation of the affected area at least
300 meters away, and maintain security for the
protection of life and property.
 5.2.1.5 Isolate the suspected device.
 5.2.1.6 Report discovery of suspected device.
 5.2.1.7 No radio transmission.
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT

 5.2.1.8 Turn-off all electricity and gas unit

of the premises/building.
 5.2.1.9 Secure the area and prevent people
from approaching it. Establish traffic
control.
 5.2.1.10 Summon ambulance and fire
trucks to the scene. Wait for the arrival of
bomb disposal team (EODT).
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT

 5.2.1.11 Conduct immediate investigation if the

threat/crisis is over. Determine the following:
 5.2.1.11.1. Name of person who received the call,
date and time was made.
 5.2.1.11.2. Exact words of person making the
threats.
 5.2.1.11.3. Reasons for the threat.
 5.2.1.11.4. Time and duration of call.
 5.2.1.11.5. Voice characteristics of the caller-male or
female: young. middle age or old: tone: accents etc.
 5.2.1.11.6. Identity of suspects, if known
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT

 5.2.1.12 Assist in the conduct of

investigation by responding units when
requested to do so.
 5.2.1.13 Report incident to Higher
Headquarters
 5.2 ON BOMB THREAT
 5.2.2. In case where AFP/NBI/PCG EOD
and PNP Bomb Squad Unit are available in
the same area, whoever takes first
cognizance of the threat shall immediately
respond and advice the other units to
standby for possible assistance.
Concerned EOD units may provide
technical assistance when needed.
 5.2.3. K-9 units if available will be utilized
during search operations.
 5.2.4. If possible, apply the general
considerations.
5.2 ON ATTEMPTED BOMBING

 Attempted Bombing - Incidents in which a

device designed or purposely made to
detonate/ignite fails to function. Intent of
activity is criminal in nature; this also
pertains to malfunctioning, recovered,
and/or disarmed devices.
 Applicable general considerations MUST be
considered.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation

 Explosives - Any chemical compound,

mixture or device, the primary or common
purpose of which is to function by
explosion. The term includes, but it is not
limited to, high explosives, black powder,
pellet powder, initiating' explosives,
detonators, safety fuses, squibs,
detonating cord, igniter cord and igniter.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation
 Improvised Explosive Device - A
homemade device consisting of an
explosives/incendiary and firing
components necessary to initiate explosion.
 Recovered Explosives & Explosive
Components - Any seized,
found/discovered, abandoned, or illegally
purchased (undercover) explosive materials
taken into custody by AFP/PNP/PCG and
NBI including those turned-in by civilian or
private entity.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation

 5.4.1 On discovery of explosives and

explosive components, EOD Team thru
channel shall inform the concerned local
PNP unit upon compliance of the
necessary security measures.
 5.4.2 On the discovery of IED/s in an
area, after the conduct of RSP, EOD Unit
shall call the assistance of local police
unit and SOCO Team who has
jurisdiction on the area.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation
 5.4.3 In the absence of local police and SOCO Team
particularly in a critical area, the responding EOD
Team shall inform the Chief of Police or Provincial
Director or Regional Director who has jurisdiction
on the area. After coordination, EOD Team may
conduct the documentation and proper collection
(wearing of sterile latex gloves), markings and
preservation (using appropriate containers) of
explosive items. In any case that an EOD personnel
touched the evidence with his bare hands, he must
be fingerprinted by SOCO for suspect elimination.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation

 5.4.4 All collected components of explosive

device/s, documents (video recordings or
photographs) and corresponding Spot Report
on the incident must be turned over to the
concerned local police unit within reasonable
time. Technical Evaluation Report (TER) /
Post Blast Investigation report must also be
submitted by the EODT afterwards.
 5.4 Discovery of Explosives/IED and its
components as a result of AFP/PNP/PCG/BFP
Operation

 5.4.5 The concerned local police unit in turn

shall verify the reported incident; conducts
own investigation; and evaluates the
evidentiary value of items submitted. SOCO
assistance should be requested for the
processing of explosive items submitted.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 Bombing - Any incident which uses a

device constructed with criminal intent and
using high explosives, low explosives, or
blasting agents explodes. This term also
refer to incidents where premature
detonation occurs during preparation,
transportation, or placement of a
constructed device.
 When applicable, above general
considerations MUST be applied.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1 Conduct a Preliminary Evaluation of

the Crime Scene
 5.5.1.1 First responders must access the
scene quickly yet thoroughly to determine
the course of action to be taken. This
assessment should include the scope of
the incident, emergency services required,
safety concerns and evidentiary
considerations.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.1.2 Should a bombing incident occur
while the vessel is underway, Post Blast
Investigation (PBI) will be conducted by the
PNP Maritime Group or designated
investigating police unit to be assisted by
SOCO Team. PNP Maritime Group or
designated investigating police shall furnish
a copy of their findings to HPCG for legal
reference by the Board of Marine Inquiry
(BMI)
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.3 Bomb Blast Response on aircraft

and other air transportation facilities, Post
Blast Investigation (PBI) will be conducted
jointly by the PNP and NBI to be assisted
by the SOCO Team and NBI Forensic
Experts. Designated investigating teams
shall furnish copy of their findings to
AVSEGROUP for legal reference by the
NOC-PNP, airline and airport
management.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.4 BEWARE OF SECONDARY

DEVICES! The scene may contain
secondary devices designed specifically to
kill or maim First Responders. DO NOT
TOUCH ANY SUSPICIOUS ITEMS. If a
suspected secondary device is discovered,
immediately leave the area and contact
AFP/PNP/NBI/PCG EOD personnel or
bomb technicians.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.5. Upon receipt of the report, first

responders should:
 5.5.1.5.1 Identify exact location of the
incident.
 5.5.1.5.2 Alert EOD teams and Fire
department.
 5.5.1.5.3 Notify higher headquarters and
request assistance of medical personnel.
 5.5.1.5.4 Proceed to the scene immediately.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.6. Upon Arrival at the scene.

 5.5.1.6.1. Cause immediate evacuation
of the injured.
 5.5.1.6.2. Direct occupants of
building/establishment to evacuate
the area.
 5.5.1.6.3. Maintain order and control
crowd.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.7. Notify higher headquarters of the

situation.
 5.5.1.8. Seal off location until EOD Team
determines if a secondary device exists.
 5.5.1.9. Arrest the suspect/s, if any.
 5.5.1.10. Conduct rescue operations at
the scene when necessary.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.1.11. Initiate immediate investigation

(when investigators have not arrived yet).
Determine the following:
 5.5.1.11.1. Time of detonation/explosion.
 5.5.1.11.2. Time call (bomb threat) was
received.
 5.5.1.11.3. Type of device.
 5.5.1.11.4. Other matters as in
Paragraph 1.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.1.12. Turnover the case to responding
investigators and be prepared to assist in
the investigation.
 5.5.1.13. Submit incident report
immediately.
 5.5.1.14. Avoid “speculative” press release. It
is the job of the Incident Commander or his
designated spokesperson.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.2. Exercise Scene Safety

 5.5.2.1 Safety overrides all other
concerns. First responders must take
steps to identify and remove or mitigate
safety hazards that may further threaten
victims, bystanders and public safety
personnel. They must exercise due
caution while performing emergency
operations to avoid injuries to themselves
and others.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.2.2 Following the preliminary evaluation of the
scene, first responders should:
 5.5.2.2.1 Request additional resources to
mitigate hazards.
 5.5.2.2.2 Utilize tools and personal protective
equipment appropriate to the task during all
operations.
 5.5.2.2.3 Request and/or conduct a safety
sweep of the area by personnel qualified to
identify and evaluate additional hazards and
safety concerns.
 5.5.2.2.4 Mark hazards clearly and designate
safety zones to receive victims and evacuees.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT

 5.5.3 Administer Lifesaving Efforts

 5.5.3.1 First responders' primary responsibility
is to rescue live victims and provide treatment
for life-threatening injuries. While performing
emergency operations, they are to preserve
evidence and avoid disturbing areas not
directly involved in the rescue activities,
including those that contain fatalities.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.3.2 After performing a preliminary evaluation and
establishing scene safety, first responders should:
 5.5.3.2.1 Initiate rescue of severely injured
and/or trapped victims.
 5.5.3.2.2 Evacuate ambulatory victims.
 5.5.3.2.3 Perform triage.
 5.5.3.2.4 Treat life-threatening injuries.
 5.5.3.2.5 Leave fatalities and their surroundings
undisturbed.
 5.5.3.2.6 Avoid disturbing areas not directly
involved in the rescue.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.4 Establish Security and Control
 5.5.4.1 First responders will establish control and
restrict scene access to essential personnel,
thereby aiding rescue efforts and scene
preservation. First responders should also initiate
documentation.
 5.5.4.2 To establish security and control, first
responders should:
 5.5.4.2.1 Set up a security perimeter.
 5.5.4.2.2 Restrict access into and out of the scene
through security perimeter.
 5.5.4.2.3 Establish staging areas to ensure that
emergency vehicles have access to the area.
 5.5.4.2.4 Initiate documentation of the scene as soon
as conditions permit.
 5.5 BOMBING INCIDENT
 5.5.6 Ensure Scene Integrity
 5.5.6.1 The first responder and/or investigator
must ensure the integrity of the scene by
establishing security perimeters, and staging
areas and contamination control procedures.
Ensure preservation and/or collection of
transient evidence.
 5.5.6.2 Prior to evidence collection, the
investigators should:
 5.5.6.2.1 Establish procedures to document
personnel.
 5.5.6.2.2 Establish procedures to prevent scene
contamination.
PBDC 47