(FILE PHOTO) Cope Thunder A Philippine Air Force FA-50 soars in the US-Philippines Joint Military Exercise ‘Cope Thunder’ at Basa Air Base in Pampanga on 11 April. The first iteration of the exercise concluded on Saturday, with the PAF and USAF’s skilled personnel sharing best practices in aircraft maintenance.
JAM STA ROSA/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has already detonated explosives that had been loaded in the FA-50PH fighter jet that crashed in Bukidnon last week.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the controlled detonation activity was well-coordinated with the concerned local government units and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“The controlled detonation of the parts of the aircraft as well as whatever unexploded ordnance there is has been carried out safely in the communities. The surrounding area, which is actually very far from the site, was also informed. And at the same time, necessary coordination was done with the DENR,” Castillo assured.
A controlled detonation is a deliberate detonation of an explosive device by disposal teams in a controlled environment to minimize damage and ensure safety.
Castillo refused to disclose how many explosives have been detonated, citing operational security reasons.
She assured that the Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) team carefully assessed the condition of detonated explosives.
“Whatever remains of the aircraft that are not necessary at the same time, whatever unexploded ordnance that could pose risk to the community, then this has undergone a controlled detonation for the safety of everyone,” she added.
