AFP more than able to secure prospective PHL nuclear facilities

Should the Philippines restart its nuclear power program in a bid to achieve energy sufficiency, the military is more than ready and capable to secure the sensitive infrastructure. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—Should the Philippines restart its nuclear power program in a bid to achieve energy sufficiency, the military is more than ready and capable to secure the sensitive infrastructure.

“Yes, the AFP is capable of securing our key facilities and critical infrastructures if tasked to do so,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla said when asked if the military is capable of securing such facilities from various threats.

Earlier, Department of Energy (DOE) undersecretary Jess Posadas stressed the importance of nuclear security as among the 19 infrastructure issues that need to be prioritized by countries embarking on a nuclear power program.

He made the statement at the Seminar on Security of Radioactive Sources went underway Monday to kick off the 7th Annual Meeting of Nuclear Energy Cooperation Subsector Network (NEC-SSN).

The seminar, held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, aims to reaffirm the importance of international and regional cooperation in nuclear security, and promote ASEAN member states’ enhancement of security of radioactive sources.

The seminar was jointly organized by the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) and the Integrated Support Center for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Safety (ISCN) of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), with the Philippines as host.

The delegates to the meet include representatives of other ASEAN member states (Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as members of the Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) from the Philippine nuclear network, such as the DOE, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), the National Power Corp., the UP National Engineering Center (NEC) and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

The 7th NEC-SSN meeting and its associated events is in line with the Philippine hosting of the 50th Founding Anniversary of the ASEAN.