NCRPO holds APEC security dry run

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office is conducting a security dry run for the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit in Pasay City on Nov. 18 and 19, NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said yesterday.

Pagdilao said police officers are conducting inspection of the hotels and other billeting areas of the 22 heads of states attending the APEC summit.

“Our security dry run is a continuing process,” Pagdilao, head of Task Group Manila for the APEC security, said.

He said the NCRPO is coordinating with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) regarding the expected traffic congestion during the APEC meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The NCRPO, MMDA and the Highway Patrol Group are set to conduct traffic dry run in preparation for the APEC summit.

“We are hosting a big event so most government agencies are involved in the preparations. The Philippine National Police (PNP) is in-charge of the security at the venue and hotels where the delegates will be staying,” Pagdilao said.

To ease traffic during the event, Malacanang has declared school holiday from Nov. 17 to 20 and advised the public to stay away from the vicinity of the PICC.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez has been meeting with heads of government agencies involved in the APEC preparations.