MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Days before world leaders fly into the Philippines for an economic forum, security officials will be holding a “full-scale simulation exercise” in all routes and venues that will be used during next week’s forum.

Beginning 7 am Saturday, November 14, the simulation will affect roads and venues that will be used during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ meeting. 

In a press briefing on Saturday, Task Force APEC deputy commander Police Director Jonathan Miano said the exercise will primarily involvement the movement of the different convoys during the meeting. 

Heavy traffic is expected in those areas on Saturday, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. 

Security forces, led by the Philippine National Police (PNP), will be practicing security and safety protocols for the event. (READ: Road closures, alternate routes for APEC summit)

The simulation covers the following:

• Roads connected to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), where world leaders will be flying in;
• Routes from the hotels where APEC leaders will be billeted leading to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), the meeting’s main venue

APEC leaders will be staying in various luxury hotels across the Metro. (READ: APEC what? An explainer on Manila’s high-profile week)

While most will be staying in hotels near the PICC, at least one contingent – Russia – will be staying at a hotel in Mandaluyong City, a considerable distance away from the venue in the city of Manila.

Over 32,000 personnel – 28,000 of them police from the National Capital Region and neighboring regions – will be deployed during the week-long meet. 

“We’ll simulate, practice the movements of the convoys. All the units, agencies we’ll be taping for APEC we’ll deploy today so we see how they work together,” Miano told reporters. 

The “dry run,” the latest in a series of security exercises in the lead-up to the summit, will test whether deployments and equipment are enough, personnel response time, and the monitoring of convoys. 

Security officials have set up a center in Pasay City for the real-time monitoring of the convoys via CCTV cameras and radios. 

Miano said the simulation exercises will happen throughout the day, between 7-9 am, 10-12 noon, and 1-3 pm. Affected roads won’t be closed the whole day, but only before the convoys pass by. They will be opened as soon as the convoys pass.

Pocket exercises will also be held in different venues, to test police’s capability to response to a “pocket rallies” during the APEC meet. 

“W will make sure that the routes of the convoys won’t be disturbed, that the conduct of the meeting are peaceful, without any incident. The safety and conduct of the meeting is our primary concern and the safety of our delegates,” added Miano. – Rappler.com