Ideas on IEDS
by Jade Alfie Sale
On a supposed to be run of the mill day on the 9th of December 2014, an explosion shook off the campus of Central Mindanao University. Bloodshed was inevitable, sacrificing 11 innocent lives which caused thousands of people to mourn.
News then spread like wildfire and after just a spur of time, the true cause of the cruel happening was announced – an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was used in the bus explosion.
IEDs were no longer new to all of us. Several bombing incidents here and in other countries were reported to be done using such explosive. The question is, how much do we really know about these deadly weapon which can surely put us all in danger if not given any attention.
This deadly weapon can almost be anything, with just a mere initiator and a material to blast it on. IEDs are usually “homemade” that is why it can easily be transported to any place by someone who means harm to the public. According to globalsecurity.org this device are not just usually explosive alone, some are designed with more complexity by adding toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material to make it more capable of ensuring casualties to the victims. Moreover, IEDs are unique in nature since builders of it can use any materials at hand and others things which are readily available in the market.
In an article from the globalsecurity.org IEDs are categorized in three types, namely, the Package Type IED, Vehicle-Borne IED, and Suicide Bomb IED.
Package type IEDs are usually concealed mortar or artillery projectiles. These kind of explosives are known to be placed in potholes which is covered by dirt as well as in piles of sand to direct blast in a specific area. It is often detonated by use of remotes such as mobile phones. Vehicle-Borne IEDs on the other hand uses a vehicles like cargo trucks to small sedan as a package for the explosive. Larger vehicles can contain more explosive device thus can bring up more damage to the target area. Suicide bomb IEDs are often used by terrorists who are more eager to give sure casualty to the target even if it’s in exchange of their lives.
Though there may be different categories and types of IEDs, these devices still share a common set of components and materials like:
• A switch/trigger
• A fuse which serves as an initiator
• Main charge
• A power source for the trigger
• A container
Safety and precautionary measures
In most cases today, terrorists can freely bring IEDs on public places like malls and terminals. Security has obviously been declining these days which can really put anyone’s life at stake. According to SPO3 Franquilino Balanay Linda, a member of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of Region X, he truly appreciates those security guards who vigilantly check bags and packages upon entering an establishment, but the question is, do they know what they’re checking on? “Dapat pud kabalo ang mga guwardiya kung unsa ilang gina check”, SPO3 Linda pointed out. He wants the EOD team to impart knowledge and awareness to the security personnel by giving them the right training in security measures to combat terrorism act.
Nonetheless, we should never just depend our safety to the security personnel. We still need to take part by being aware and cautious in places that we go into. “Ang mga estudyante or kita public kinahanglan dili lang nato isalig tanan sa security, at least kablo pud ta mu secure sa ato kaugalingon”, SPO3 Linda stressed out.
Republic Act No. 8294
In the Philippines, there is a law on illegal possession, manufacture, and dealing with firearms, ammunition or explosives or any instruments used to manufacture of firearms, ammunitions or explosives including IEDs. Since this device just requires materials at hand that can be bought on hardware and construction supplies, law enforcers are already taking measures about it. SPO3 Linda said that in order to buy these materials for IEDs, one must provide clearance and permit from the police but still these people such as terrorists can still override the rule.
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IEDs are really one of the things that must not be taken for granted. They can be hidden or plotted anywhere, from roads, malls, or even strapped to a person. IEDs are already widely used in any form of terrorism act with one objective – to injure, incapacitate or worst, to kill people. In today’s declining security and rising dangers our safety still depends on ourselves thus we need to take a heed and help ourselves to have ideas on IEDs.
Sources:
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/breaking-news/2014/12/09/9-dead-bukidnon-bus-blast-381062
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/ied.htm
http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_72809.htm
