FOLLOWING last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris, the spokesman for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit assured the public that adequate security measures are in place to safeguard the 17 heads of state and other top leaders arriving in Manila this week.
“Our security officials are monitoring and assessing the situation and we are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of all delegates in the Apec Leaders’ Meeting, especially the economic leaders,” said Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who is the spokesman for the Apec summit.
The Philippines is expecting some 17 leaders and representatives sent by the leaders of Russia, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei.
Military and police officials said they remained upbeat about the internal security situation, with no terrorist threats on their radar.
The Paris attacks prompted the military and the Philippine National Police to declare a red alert and order a more visible security presence in key meeting areas of the Apec.
The heightened security preparations also include increasing police visibility in commercial areas and other public places.
“We have increased visibility in all areas particularly in Apec venue,” said Armed Forces spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla.
“We’re looking forward to a safe, security and peaceful and successful conduct of the summit,” Padilla said.
The government has already deployed at least 24,000 police personnel in strategic approaches to the Apec venue and 16 hotels where foreign delegates will be billeted during the summit to ensure the safety of attendees.
“Per [our] monitoring there seems to be no real threat for the conduct of Apec,” Padilla said.
Additional security measures were also put in place at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where the police Aviation Security Group deployed several V-150 armored personnel carriers equipped with machine guns to the four terminals.
Bomb sniffing dogs were also dispatched in sensitive areas of the airport and foot patrols of the perimeter have been increased.
Chief Supt. Pablo Francisco Balagtas of the Avsegroup said his force has been doubled to ensure they are 100 percent ready for the Apec.
Even trucks supplying aviation fuel will have to deal with heavy security.
On the eve of the summit, former President Fidel V. Ramos ruled out any foreign-based terrorist attack during the Apec summit, but said police and the military needed to intensify their intelligence gathering against the Abu Sayyaf Group.
In an interview on radio dzMM, Ramos said the Abu Sayyaf has proven its capability of launching a major terrorist attack.
Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on the other hand, said he was confident the intensified security procedures of the police would ensure the safety of all the heads of state who will be in Manila for the summit.
Marcos said that before the Paris attacks, his sources in the police had assured him that they have done everything possible to secure the safety of the delegates to the Apec summit.
“Perhaps, after what happened in Paris, they will again inspect all buildings where Apec events will be held as part of their preparations,” Marcos said.
So far, he added, there are no intelligence reports indicating any serious threat to the Apec delegates.
“What is reassuring is that the Philippine National Police does not shoulder the entire burden of ensuring the security of the Apec delegates alone, the respective security details of the visiting heads of state are working with the PNP and exchanging information to ensure all the security measures are in place for the smooth conduct of the Apec summit here in Manila,” Marcos added.
Militant groups, meanwhile, called on the government not to use the Paris terror attacks as a pretext to prevent them from airing their grievances during the Apec summit.
“We are one with the world in condemning the terrorist attacks in Paris and in other places where innocent civilians are being targeted,” said Bagong Alyansang Makabayan spokesman Teddy Casiño. “However, we believe that the prevention of such atrocities should not be at the expense of the rights of people to assemble and air their legitimate grievances.”
Casiño said the pronouncement of PNP officials that they will be heightening their security measures in the wake of the Paris incident should not lead to a ban on protests near or around the venue of the Apec summit.
Senator Gregorio Honasan, who is running for vice president, said it was imperative for world leaders to discuss the threat of terrorism in the aftermath of the deadly Paris attacks.
“If the series of terror attacks on Paris is not yet in the Apec formal agenda as a fundamental basis for economic cooperation not only in the Asia-Pacific but among all free democracies, then it should be,” Honasan said.
The Philippines must be willing and able to take the lead politically, morally, and globally by example, setting aside partisan squabbles and uniting against common enemies of humanity, he added.
Senator Loren Legarda underscored the importance of cooperation among nations in the global fight against terrorism.
Legarda said as the Philippine government hosts the Apec Leaders’ Meeting this week, the country should strengthen intelligence efforts and continue to work with the rest of the global community by sharing information, and mutually reinforcing each other’s capacities against terrorism.
