MRT-3 simulates crisis response vs. knife attack

CRISIS RESPONSE SIMULATION. A knife attack simulation exercise at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 on Wednesday (April 13, 2022). The MRT-3 was joined by the Quezon City Police District and the Philippine Red Cross during the exercise meant to ensure the readiness of MRT-3 employees in the face of an actual crisis. (Photo courtesy of MRT-3)

MANILA – A crisis simulation exercise against a potential knife attack was held at the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) on Wednesday as part of a joint effort between the MRT-3 management and the government to ensure the safety of passengers of the rail service.

The exercise simulated an actual incident that occurred in Tokyo, Japan in October 2021 where a passenger armed with a knife stabbed other passengers and set a train car on fire.

In an interview during the exercise, MRT-3 officer-in-charge General Manager Michael Capati said the exercise was meant to ensure the readiness and capability of MRT-3 staff, the emergency commander, and medics during a crisis.

“This exercise for our employees is part of the Holy Week maintenance shutdown and would help us identify what to do during emergencies and what we would need to improve on,” Capati said.

He noted that the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) participated in the exercise, with security experts providing an assessment and help the MRT-3 adjust its “business continuity plans.”

“We are looking forward to holding similar exercises such as this in the future, to ensure that our employees' knowledge on emergency response is updated and well-equipped,” Capati said.

Last week, the MRT-3, the QCPD, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Office of Transportation Security, and the Philippine Coast Guard held a tabletop security exercise in preparation for the actual simulation. (PNA)

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