A counter-terrorism drill held today attained the Government’s goals regarding strengthening coordination between police forces in emergency situations, and enhancing the capabilities of the police if called upon to respond to a terrorist attack.

The drill, code-named “Bright Dog”, was jointly organised by the Unitary Police Service and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Macao Garrison. It was held in the afternoon at the Macao East Asian Games Dome and lasted around two-and-a-half hours.

Today’s drill involved a simulation relating to a group of six ‘gunmen’ seeking to enter a concert hall when a 5,000-strong ‘audience’ was inside. After initially being stopped by the concert’s security guards, two ‘suspects’ escaped by vehicle, while the remaining four entered the hall and took the ‘concertgoers’ hostage. In the scenario, the ‘gunmen’ fired several shots and claimed to be in possession of chemical weapons.

The drill involved a series of situations, ranging from: use by suspects of firearms in a large-scale concert; dealing with incidents involving explosives; malign use of chemical substances; and interception of ‘gunmen’ in or close to Macao’s waters.

A total of 900 Macao personnel joined the exercise. They were from several public security authorities, including the Macao Customs Service’s unmanned aerial service team and its patrol vessel unit. There were also four teams from the Public Security Police Force, namely: the special patrol group; the police dog unit; the explosive ordnance disposal unit; and the special operation unit. There were additionally two units from the Judiciary Police, namely the negotiation unit and the crime scene investigation team. The Fire Services Bureau’s contribution to the exercise was in sending its special rescue squad; the Health Bureau sent a medical team and a vehicle to provide treatment for casualties. The drill was also supported by the Sports Bureau and the Government Information Bureau.

An additional 49 personnel from the PLA Macao Garrison took part in the drill. They joined the police efforts regarding detection of ‘dangerous substances’ as well as ‘disinfection’ and ‘decontamination’ of incident scenes.

The police forces set up an on-site control centre, which coordinated emergency efforts, so that the scene was divided into several zones: a negotiation zone; a zone providing medical treatment for casualties; a zone for decontamination work; and a zone for clean-up of toxic substances.

Under the scenario – and in view of the potential multiple ‘casualties’ and many people at risk of ‘exposure’ to chemical substances, the Chief Executive submitted a ‘request’ to the Central Government – according to the Basic Law and other reference points – requesting assistance from the PLA Macao Garrison in helping decontamination and rescue efforts.

Inside the concert hall, the police’s special operation unit was dispatched soon after a ‘gunman’ shot a ‘hostage’. ‘Gunmen’ then exploded a ‘radiological weapon’ when confronted by the police.

As the police escorted ‘concertgoers’ to safety during the scenario, they found a ‘bomb trigger device’. The police and police dogs later located a ‘bomb’ in a car park and carried out a controlled explosion.

Meanwhile, the Macao Customs Service intercepted the other two ‘gunmen’ – that had been on the run – by using police surveillance cameras set up across the city. The drill simulated a ‘gunman’ being stopped before leaving Macao, while the other ‘suspect’ was captured in waters off Macao.

In today’s simulation exercise three people were ‘shot’ and many others were made ‘sick’ after being exposed to ‘hazardous substances’.

Macao would continue to step up its response capabilities for unexpected events, in order to maximise protection of the public and their property. It was anticipated that by holding various themed exercises, there would be a strengthening of coordination between police forces.