Albay assures pre-Apec delegates’ security

LEGAZPI CITY—Military and police officials have assured the safety of at least 450 delegates coming to Albay for the Informal Senior Officials Meeting for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Isom-Apec) scheduled on Dec. 8 and 9 in this city.

Isom is one of the major pre-summit conferences, which would be held in various venues in the country, leading to the Apec leaders summit that would be chaired and hosted by the Philippines in November 2015. Apec is a group of 21-member economies that meet regularly to support sustainable growth and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region.

Raffy Alejandro, Office of Civil Defense Bicol director and cochair of the Albay provincial preparatory logistical committee, said policemen and soldiers have strengthened and tightened security measures for the event.

Col. Raul Farnacio, 901st brigade commander, said soldiers had spent the last five months preparing for the event.

“All prescribed security standards have been laid down during simulation exercises made in the previous weeks,” he said.

Farnacio said K9 dog units and equipment, like metal detectors, would arrive next week to further improve security.

Chief Supt. Vic Deona, Bicol police chief, said “thousands of police officers will be scattered in the streets to ensure the security of the delegates.”

Supt. Marlo Meneses, Albay police chief, said at least 2,000 policemen and soldiers would be tapped to provide security to the Isom delegates.

Gov. Joey Salceda said Albay has been chosen to host the Apec-Isom not only because of the attraction of Mayon Volcano but because of the province’s resiliency in times of calamities.

He said Albay’s hosting of Apec-Isom and its earlier success as host of the United Nations World Tourism Organization conference in May have “put Albay on the map” and “unlocked the province’s tourism potential.”