Police Regional Office 11

Crime Prevention Advice

BOMB PREVENTION TIPS

ALWAYS BE CONSTANTLY PREPARED!

There is no excuse for not taking  every step necessary to meet a bomb threat.

BOMB.   A device capable of producing damage to material and injury or death to people when detonated or ignited.  Bombs are classified as explosive which causes damage by fragmentation, heat and blast wave; and incendiary which generates fire-producing heat without a substantial explosion when ignited.

BOMBING.  A bombing occurs when an explosive bomb detonates or an incendiary bomb ignites.

BOMB THREAT.   An information or warning claiming knowledge that a dangerous device, such as a bomb or similar type of explosive, has been or will be placed in a building, aircraft or other facilities.

BOMBING INCIDENT.   Any occurrence involving the detonation/ignition of a bomb, the discovery of a bomb, or the execution of a bomb threat.

WHY PREPARE AGAINST BOMB INCIDENTS?   The Philippine National Police encourages every citizen and every establishment to be constantly prepared against bomb threats and bombing incidents.  Through preparation, you can reduce the accessibility of your building and identify those areas that can be "hardened" against the potential bomber.  Proper planning can also reduce the threat of panic and decrease the potential for injury and property damage.

Be prepared!  There is no excuse for not taking every step necessary to meet the threat.

HOW TO PREPARE.   In preparing to cope with a bomb incident, it is necessary to develop two separate plans: a security plan and a bomb incident plan.

·     Security provides for the protection of property, personnel, facilities, and material against unauthorized entry, trespass, damage, sabotage, or other illegal or criminal acts.  The security plan deals with prevention and control of access to the building.

·     The bomb incident plan provides detailed procedures to be implemented when a bomb is found or threatened.

·     In planning, a command center must be designated to be located in a focal point of telephone or radio communications.  Obtain an updated blueprint of floor plan of your building and maintain it in the command center.

·     Contact the police department, fire department, or local government agencies for any assistance in developing your security or bomb incident plans.

·     Training is essential to deal properly with a bomb threat incident.  Instruct all personnel, especially those at the telephone switchboard, on what to do if a bomb threat is received.

RESPONDING TO BOMB THREATS.   Each threat received through any means of communications should be treated as real and must be forwarded immediately to the proper authorities.

Telephone Bomb Threats.   The receiving party must remain calm and courteous.  Try to obtain as much information as possible from the caller.  Take note of the following procedures:

1.   Get the identity of the caller.

2.   Take note of the following characteristics: male or female voice; young, middle-age or old sounding voice; accent of voice; speech impediments or peculiar voice characteristics; any background noise; does the voice sound familiar.

3.   The exact words of the person placing the call.

4.   Show no emotion on the phone.

5.   Know the exact location of the bomb.

6.   Ask for a description of the bomb/composition of the explosive.

7.   Repeat the message to the caller whenever possible and ask for confirmation.

8.   The receiving party should remain calm and courteous.  He should listen carefully and write down accurately the information the caller provides.

9.   If possible, refer the caller to a supervisor or a person in authority to extract more information.

10. Apply delaying tactics and engage the caller in prolonged conversation.

11. Take note of the exact time the suspect hung up.

12.The person receiving the bomb threat should attempt to ask the caller certain questions:  When is the bomb going to explode?/ Where is the bomb right now?/ What type of bomb is it?/ What does the bomb look like?/ What will cause it to explode?/ Why did you place the bomb?

13.Remember that the caller may not answer your questions, but any additional information that he may relate will be helpful.

14. It may be advisable to inform the caller that the building is occupied and the detonation of a bomb could result in death or serious injury to many innocent people. 

15. Once the telephone threat is received, notify your local police at once.

Handwritten or Typed Notes.   Documents and other materials received should be carefully handled to preserve marks, fingerprints, etc. for examination by comp.