3,740 security force deployed to secure APEC in Clark

Randy Datu

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3,740 security force deployed to secure APEC in Clark
To ensure readiness of personnel who will be tapped for the APEC event, police personnel undergo extensive training

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Central Luzon police director will deploy some 3,740 police and military forces in various Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) venues in Clark to secure at least 1,700 senior economic ministers and 100 other local delegates attending the Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM1).

The PNP-PRO3 had mobilized at least 1,800 personnel inside and outside Clark and in different venues such as hotels, where the conferences of senior economic ministers will be held for almost two weeks. This is according to reports reaching the office of Chief Supt. Ronald V. Santos, PRO3 officer-in-charge and also Task Group commander.

In an interview, Santos said that aside from the PNP, his command is also tapping about 500 personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including reserved officers, to assist in ensuring peace and order inside the host area.

“They will be lending us military 6×6 trucks, some of their dogs and other assets, including doctors, fire experts and other multipliers,” Santos said.

Some of the police and military forces, including barangay multipliers and other civic organizations, on the other hand, will be assigned to guard the periphery to assist in traffic, monitoring and other intelligence support, Santos added.

He also said, “We are finalizing our preparations but some of our men will be deployed starting today [Saturday, January 17]. Kailangan one week before ready na kami. (We need to be ready a week before.) The PNP is the lead role in terms of security matters and we have created a regional task group to ensure effective and efficient delivery of security coverage during the 2015 APEC Summit-SOM1.”

Yung mga select personnel, particularly those with the intelligence and explosives team from PNP and the military are all set. When it comes to bomb threats, kumpleto na tayo. We have detectors and surveillance equipment from Camp Crame that we will employ in Pampanga. We will also be utilizing CCTV cameras inside and outside,” he said. (The select personnel, particularly those with the intelligence and explosives team from PNP and the military are all set. We are complete when it comes to bomb threats.)

Santos said the PNP-PRO3 will maximize the use of civilian outfits such as barongs to avoid creating a scenario of fear inside the venues. “We will minimize the use of camouflage by our intelligence team. Majority will be in plain clothes with proper tagging. Normal police uniform, meanwhile, shall be visible in the areas.”

The PNP-PRO3 is also in close coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to ensure stress-free travel for those coming from Metro Manila and nearby places, and who will use the Northern Luzon Expressway and Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) going to Clark.

“We have already coordinated all movement going in and out of the venues; anticipated traffic, alternate routes, and advanced information about these routes,” he said.

The task group – headed by the regional director as Task Group commander and the deputy regional director for administration (DRDA) as deputy task group commander and AFP – is ably supported by concerned deputies of RHQ-directorial staff, as well as sub-site task group headed by deputy regional director for operations (DRDO) as sub-site task group commander and PDs/CDs as members.

To ensure the readiness of PRO3 personnel during the APEC SOM1, the police personnel underwent training on close protection orientation, hostage negotiation, proper etiquette and protocol, radio operation and procedures, pistol proficiency training, civil disturbance management (CDM) training, and went through an EOD refresher course.

Santos directed all personnel to watch out for adverse developments in the international scene and their possible repercussions on national security, which could affect the convening of the SOM1.

He urged the public to provide relevant and timely information about unscrupulous activities to the police through social media (Twitter – @rpio_pro3, Facebook Page – PioRegionthree) or by dialing 117 or texting 2920.

Earlier, Central Luzon governors who are members of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) enjoined all police officers in Region III to secure the safety of the APEC delegates as they expressed gratitude to the national government for bringing the APEC summit to the Freeport. – Rappler.com

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