Military deploys aircraft, warships for APEC security

MANILA, Philippines - The military mobilized all its air, land and sea assets to secure the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Manila from November 18 to 19.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will deploy aircraft for air patrol and air intercept missions. Helicopters will also be deployed for security duties.

PAF spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said that all assets will be on full standby alert 24/7. The said PAF assets were pre-positioned in strategic locations.

The Philippine Army deployed armor vehicles to secure the venues that will be visited by the delegates.

"We deployed enough armor assets around Metro Manila. We can't tell you (their) exact locations. Its mission is to assist the PNP in the security of APEC," Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said.

Hao also refused to discuss the types and armament that the armored vehicles are carrying.

The Philippine Navy will be deploying one of its most modern warships to secure the APEC summit.

The warship will assist the Coast Guard in implementing its no-sail policy in Manila Bay.

The ship is equipped with an AgustaWestlang AW-109 "Power" helicopter, which can act as a command-and-control vessel. The ship can respond with the helicopter within minutes to any untoward incident.

The warship, armed with an Oto Melara 76-millimeter cannon and two Mark 38 Model 2 "Bushmaster" 25 auto-cannons, may also be used as an evacuation center.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police assured that there is no threat of terror attacks for the high-level event.

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