DEMINETEC in Manila

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.

War history and explosive contamination in Manila

The Battle of Manila took place from 3 February to 3 March 1945 during the Philippine campaign of the Second World War. Forces from the United States and the Philippines fought Imperial Japanese troops in Manila. The 37th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 11th Airborne Division advanced into the capital, while Japanese naval and army personnel established defensive positions in buildings, streets and the 16th-century fortress of Intramuros. Japanese forces used barricades across major streets, cut down palm trees on Dewey Boulevard to form a runway, and converted Rizal Stadium into an ammunition dump. Fighting spread across residential districts, bridges, power facilities, hospitals, churches, schools and government buildings.

American forces employed massed artillery, including direct and indirect fire, to dislodge Japanese troops from fortified positions. The artillery preparation before the assault on Intramuros lasted from 17 to 23 February and included 240mm howitzers and fire at ranges up to 8,000 yards, as well as point-blank fire from ranges as short as 250 yards. Japanese troops also used artillery and heavy mortars, and Japanese forces demolished buildings and military installations while withdrawing. American aerial and artillery bombardment, Japanese demolition, and intense urban fighting caused extensive destruction. The battle ended after the Legislative Building was taken on 28 February, the Finance Building on 3 March, and Intramuros was secured on 4 March. At least 100,000 Filipino civilians were killed during the battle, while American forces recorded 1,010 dead and 5,565 wounded.

Areas and structures concerned

Intramuros
Rizal Stadium
Dewey Boulevard
Santo Tomas Internment Camp
Bilibid Prison
Provisor Island
Fort Santiago

Expected ordnance and implications for survey

The fighting involved massed artillery, 240mm howitzers, heavy mortars, Japanese artillery, grenades, bazookas, flamethrowers and ammunition stored at Rizal Stadium. American artillery used indirect fire at ranges up to 8,000 yards and direct, point-blank fire from ranges as short as 250 yards. Japanese troops also held defensive positions in buildings and fortified areas. These documented weapons, ammunition storage locations and heavily shelled structures identify relevant subjects for historical desk studies, magnetometer surveys, clearance planning and explosive ordnance disposal.

FAQ: explosive risk in Manila

Which Manila locations are specifically associated with military ammunition or defensive positions?

Rizal Stadium was converted by Japanese forces into an ammunition dump. Defensive positions were established inside Intramuros, across major streets, and in many city buildings. Dewey Boulevard was altered into a runway after palm trees were cut down, while Fort Santiago and other structures were used during the fighting.

What artillery was used during the assault on Intramuros?

The assault began on 23 February 1945 after a 140-gun artillery barrage. The preparation included all available corps and division artillery, including 240mm howitzers, indirect fire at ranges up to 8,000 yards, and direct, point-blank fire from ranges as short as 250 yards. Intramuros was practically razed.

Reference : Wikipédia — Battle of Manila (1945)

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 SAS
285 avenue Marcel Paul
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@deminetec.com