APEC delegates slip past security to visit Bohol

CEBU, Philippines - Police have disclosed that at least three low-level delegates of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) meetings here in Cebu have slipped past security to go river cruising in Loboc, Bohol.

“Talagang pasaway, para ding mga Pilipino sa ibang bansa,” said Police Regional Office 7 Director, Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Bañas.

Bañas explained that they cannot provide security detail to low-level delegates as they are not entitled to escorts as per protocol but they remain the police’s responsibility. They should have informed security of their travel plans, Bañas said.

They reportedly had the three followed when they left the hotel after inquiring about the tourist destinations they could visit. They went to Pier 1 where they took a ferry to Bohol and the cops followed them there.

Bañas said that unlike high-level delegates who participate in the meetings directly and who have strict security escorts, low-level delegates reportedly are not covered by the same protocol.

Bañas said they will find a way to “cope (up) with the limitations.”  

Aside from this incident, Bañas said all delegates are secured here.

“So far, maayo gyud ang atong resulta sa pag-secure sa delegado sa APEC Summit sa Cebu with the cooperation ng lahat ng partner agencies and the community at large,” Bañas said.

“Wala pang insidente that would mar the holding of the APEC,” Banas said.

The APEC Summit started on August 22, 2015 but the police deployed security forces starting August 19.

Yesterday, a total of 707 delegates arrived in Cebu comprising of 553 foreign and 154 local delegates. At least 175 more arrived yesterday. — /JMO (FREEMAN)