No security threat to APEC informal meeting in Albay – PNP, AFP

MANILA, Philippines – A joint interagency task group has been formed to oversee security preparations for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation’s informal senior officials’ meeting next week in Albay.

The task group, led by Bicol police regional director, Chief Supt. Victor Deona, was activated in anticipation of the APEC informal meeting at the Oriental Hotel in Legazpi City.

Agencies such as the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection and other units comprise the interagency body, which will oversee the security, peace and order and emergency preparations for the event.

The APEC ISOM is a venue for the setting of priorities of the 21 APEC member economies for the Philippine hosting of the APEC in 2015.

Maj. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, Southern Luzon commander said no security threat to the conduct of the meeting next week has been monitored by the law enforcement agencies.

“We are generally prepared, it’s all systems go,” the official said on Sunday.

Around 2,600 troops will be deployed for the APEC ISOM on December 8 and 9 in Legazpi City, according to Brig. Gen. Raul Parnacio, commander of the 901st Brigade.

“We are well prepared for this since we have been readying for this since five months ago,” he added.

Parnacio will be leading the ground forces deployed for the activity while the PNP will be in charge of close in security.

Parnacio said they were not looking at the New People’s Army as a threat to the activity since the areas where the rebels have been concentrated were far from Legazpi City.

“They are a bit far, they are concentrated in the western part of Albay and the boundaries of Sorsogon and Camarines Sur, just a small force. But it is containable,” he assured.

There are only 42 NPA rebels in Albay, according to Parnacio.

Visaya said they have prepared for a scenario wherein rebels would create a situation to catch the attention of the international community.

“We have contingency measures, we have civil disturbance management forces from the AFP in support of the PNP. They will come from Metro Manila, while the infantry units there will also secure the area,” he said.

The AFP has also placed on standby air assets such as an airplane and four helicopters, as well as floating assets from the Philippine Navy.