PNP, AFP: No terror threat on APEC

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have not monitored any terror threat in Metro Manila for the holding of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on Nov. 18 and 19.

But National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao said yesterday they would not lower their guard as security measures have been intensified to ensure the safety of the 22 heads of state attending the event.

Pagdilao said he was satisfied with the developments in the NCRPO’s preparations for the APEC meet.

“We are right on target in our security preparations for the APEC summit. Police officers who will be deployed during the event have been undergoing training,” he said.

Pagdilao is the head of APEC Task Force Manila.

He said the NCRPO’s security plan would be submitted to the security chiefs of the heads of state for approval days before the APEC summit.

The NCRPO has been monitoring the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, where the APEC summit will be held, as well as the hotels and other areas where the delegates will be staying.

Pagdilao said they are conducting a security dry run of the convoys of the foreign delegates from the airport to their billeting areas.

PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez earlier said they have not monitored any threat to the APEC summit.

Marquez, who is leading the APEC security preparations, vowed to make the event peaceful and orderly.

Malacañang has declared Nov. 17 to 20 as special non-working days in Metro Manila to give way to the APEC summit.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) is taking measures to prevent possible delay in the deployment of Filipino workers abroad due to the long holidays.

POEA chief Hans Cacdac said the upcoming APEC meeting could lead to possible delay in the processing of workers’ employment and travel documents.

He said returning overseas Filipino workers are expected to troop to the POEA main office and processing centers after the weeklong work disruption.

Cacdac said the POEA office in Ortigas would be opened during the four-day holiday, but only for the processing of the overseas employment certificate or exit clearance. – With Mayen Jaymalin