AFP on blue alert in NCR for Apec summit

Military units tasked with the security of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit have been placed on blue alert since Wednesday.

Units involved include the Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio and Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (NCR) based in Camp Aguinaldo, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Noel Detoyato said on Thursday.

Also on alert are the Philippine Navy headquarters in Taguig City and Air Force headquarters in Pasay City.

Blue alert means 50 percent of all available troops and assets are on standby for deployment in case of emergencies.

“You need warm bodies. You have to be on a certain kind of alert para ma-hold mo sila sa camp,” he said.

For security reasons, however, Detoyato did not say how many soldiers were deployed for the Apec summit.

He also did not say if they would go on red alert, the highest security status.

“It will depend on the overall alert of the Philippine National Police because they are the lead agency in security preparations. We will follow,” Detoyato said.

He emphasized that only troops in National Capital Region would be placed on blue alert. Internal security operations against insurgents and terrorists in other parts of the country will continue.

The PNP will deploy 24,000 of its men for the Apec security. The Presidential Security Group will take charge of securing the world leaders who will participate in the summit.

The Apec summit, where powerful leaders are expected to attend, will be held from Nov. 17 to 20. RC