DEMINETEC in Manila
Pyrotechnic clearance and UXO risk management.DEMINETEC operates in Manila
DEMINETEC, a French company headquartered in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), delivers civilian demining (pyrotechnic clearance) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management services to public and private clients in Manila, Philippines. We cover the full chain from historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT) to ordnance neutralisation and disposal, in line with French Decree 2005-1325 and international best practice.
Pyrotechnic historical context of Manila
Manila was the theatre of two of the most devastating urban battles of WWII: the Japanese capture of the city in December 1941-January 1942, and the U.S.-led Battle of Manila (3 February - 3 March 1945), in which the city was largely destroyed, with over 100,000 civilian casualties. The Intramuros, the Pasig river crossings, Fort Santiago, Cavite Navy Yard and Corregidor island remain documented UXO hotspots.
Beyond WWII, the Philippines carries pyrotechnic legacies from decades of insurgency (NPA, MILF, Abu Sayyaf), with anti-personnel mines, improvised explosive devices and abandoned ordnance especially in Mindanao. The Philippine Campaign Against Landmines and the AFP Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalions coordinate clearance with international partners.
Greater Manila — Metro Manila Subway, Bulacan New Manila International Airport, North-South Commuter Rail, Manila Bay reclamation projects — together with offshore oil and gas, submarine cables and port expansion in Subic Bay and Batangas, increasingly require UXO desk studies and magnetometric surveys aligned with IMAS standards and French Decree 2005-1325.
Our services in Manila
Historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT)
Document research in national and foreign archives to qualify pyrotechnic risk on a site (bombings, combat, depots, ranges).
Pyrotechnic safety study (ESP)
Residual risk assessment, definition of effect zones, safety perimeters and collective protective measures.
Magnetometric geophysical survey
On-site detection of ferromagnetic anomalies, surface or deep, onshore or underwater.
UXO clearance
Extraction, identification and neutralisation / disposal of munitions by our NEDEX / EOD-qualified operators.
Underwater expertise
Survey and clearance in ports, rivers and offshore environments, in partnership with our group company SEMTEC.
In Manila, a port/coastal city, our teams deploy their underwater expertise (magnetometric seabed survey, ordnance identification, technical diving) to secure basins, quays, channels and submerged structures.
Why choose DEMINETEC for Manila?
- French licensed company, ISO 9001 and MASE certified, compliant with French Decree 2005-1325.
- Teams of former French Navy and Army EOD operators (NEDEX / EOD qualifications).
- Over 30 years of accumulated experience in France and on international projects.
- Onshore and underwater intervention capacity through the DEMINETEC group (SEMTEC, GEODE, DEMINETEC ECG).
- Quick response: quote within 48 hours, rapid mobilisation in France and abroad.
Territorial coverage
DEMINETEC operates in Manila and across Philippines from our French head office (285 avenue Marcel Paul, 83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, France). We mobilise teams and technical assets to fit each mission: documentary studies, short field surveys, or long-duration clearance operations.
Frequently asked questions about UXO clearance in Manila
Which munitions are typically found?
In Manila and across Philippines, the most frequently recovered items include artillery shells, hand grenades, landmines, aerial bombs and — in coastal areas — naval mines. Exact typology depends on the site history and is the focus of the prior historical desk study (EHT).
Does French Decree 2005-1325 apply abroad?
French Decree 2005-1325 governs civilian pyrotechnic clearance on French soil. Internationally, DEMINETEC uses it as a best-practice benchmark alongside IMAS (International Mine Action Standards) and the contractual requirements specific to Philippines.
How long does a mission in Manila typically last?
Duration varies with surface area, investigation depth and anomaly density. An EHT desk study takes 2-6 weeks, a magnetometric survey from a few days to several months, and active clearance from a few weeks up to multiple years for major projects.
Do you operate underwater?
Yes. Through our subsidiary SEMTEC and the DEMINETEC group, we provide commercial diving, underwater magnetometry and submerged-ordnance neutralisation for ports, rivers, lakes and coastal areas.
Contact DEMINETEC for Manila
For any historical study, diagnostic or pyrotechnic clearance request, contact our teams:
DEMINETEC SAS285 avenue Marcel Paul
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@deminetec.com