Security officials hope Putin will stay close to Apec venue

Philippine security leaders are hoping the Russian Embassy will consider moving President Vladimir Putin to a hotel closer to the venues of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) meeting.

Apec task force commander and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said the ceremonial routes had been extended to Mandaluyong City since Putin would be billeted in a hotel along Edsa-Shaw Boulevard.

Putin transferring to a hotel closer to the billeting areas of other leaders will ease the burden of both the security forces and the public as fewer roads will be closed for the Apec.

Majority of the world leaders and foreign delegates who will attend the Apec summit will stay at hotels in the cities of Pasay and Makati where most of the meetings will be held.

In an ambush interview on Wednesday, Marquez said the Apec organizers gave the delegates a list of billeting areas in Manila. Only Russia chose to stay in the Mandaluyong City hotel.

“The (Russian government officials) have their own standards. They have their own way of looking at things that could satisfy their leader,” he said.

He said the organizers had relayed their proposal to the Russian government.

Philippine security officials are waiting for Russia’s word as the request is still being negotiated with the Russian ambassador to the country.

“I hope it happens so that fewer riding public will be inconvenienced,” said Marquez.

He hopes that like Pope Francis, who changed the itinerary of his Philippine visit on the government’s request for security reasons, Putin will agree to the proposal.

Marquez, who was then the PNP’s Directorate for Operations, was also the task force commander for the papal visit last January. Julliane Love de Jesus/RC

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