AFP, PNP mobilize troops to secure Apec

Members of the police Special Action Force (SAF) walk in front of signage for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit after a drill simulating a Paris-like attack at the convention center, the venue of the summit in Manila on November 14, 2015. The Philippines put its military and police on full alert November 14 and vowed to upgrade security for world leaders meeting in Manila next week after gunmen killed more than 120 people in Paris. AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE

THE ARMED Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police have mobilized their land, sea and air forces to secure this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.

“There will be no-fly zones and no-sail zone in the exclusion area. For land security, the PNP is leading the security preparations,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Restituto Padilla Jr.

The Philippine Navy is deploying the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, one of its most modern warships, to conduct security patrols and help the Philippine Coast Guard implement the no-sail policy in Manila Bay, which is near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

For its part, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said all its air assets would be on full standby alert and had been positioned in strategic locations for quicker response.

The PAF spokesperson, Col. Enrico Canaya, said the SIAI-Marchetti SF-250TP and S-211 aircraft would be deployed for air patrol and air intercept missions, while the Bell UH-1 helicopters had been readied for Apec security preparations.

“We do not want untoward incidents but our commitment is to provide the best preparation and the best of our capability,” Canaya said.

The Philippine Army has also sent armored vehicles to secure the Apec venues, mostly in Pasay and Makati.

“The Army can guarantee the availability of our troops. So far, our plan is on track and our troops are already there and on alert,” said the Army spokesperson, Col. Benjamin Hao.

Security officials are considering both man-made and natural disasters as worst case scenarios, including terrorist attacks.

Last weekend, the Security Task Force Apec led by the PNP conducted a quick response drill at the PICC.

“Terrorist attacks are part of the worst-case scenario but we have no information leading to these kinds of scenarios at the moment, so that’s a good outcome,” Padilla said. With reports from Christine O. Avendaño and Jaymee T. Gamil