PNP ready to secure APEC summit

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has finalized the security measures for delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in November.

“The PSPG’s APEC security operation is now in full swing,” Superintendent Rogelio Simon, spokesman for the PNP-Police Security Protection Group, said yesterday in a briefing at Camp Crame.

“Security preparations started late last year,  and are now in full swing approaching the APEC economic leaders’ meeting on Nov. 18 and 19.”

Simon said delegates from 21 economies – with Colombia as an observer – will be participating in a series of meetings as part of the summit.

The PNP said the 6th Policy Partnership on Science Technology and Innovation and High Level Policy on Science and Technology in Higher Education, ongoing at the PICC from Aug. 10 to 14, is the 17th APEC-related meeting prior to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in November.

Simon said PSPG personnel will be assigned as security officers for the APEC summit and delegates.

Simon said the PSPG conducted last week its first organizational meeting in preparation for the APEC Ministerial Meeting and AELM.

Simon said APEC expects more than 7,200 delegates from participating countries. The number only includes the official delegates and does not include the foreign media delegations.

Simon said the PSPG is preparing around 800 personnel that will form part of the overall police contingent tasked to secure delegates and the summit venue.

The police personnel will come from the PNP Highway Patrol Group, the National Capital Region Police Office and its regional battalion for support.

Simon said the PSPG personnel will be concentrating on securing the ministers from participating countries. The Presidential Security Group will handle security of the heads of state attending the APEC.

At present, Simon said the PSPG has a strength of almost 1,800 nationwide, many of them presently detailed as security of some VIPs.

“All the 800 personnel will be providing security. They will be utilized as security officers, close-in security, on-board security, area security, conference security officers, advance team and tactical operation center personnel,” he added.

Simon said the PSPG will be wheeling out security escorts detailed with VIPs.