Undercover cops deployed for IPU summit

Plainclothes policemen and "secret marshals" have been deployed to key areas in the country as part of beefed-up security measures for the International Parliamentary Union (IPU) summit that starts in Manila on Sunday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said secret marshals and detectives have been assigned to secure areas scheduled to be visited by some 1,400 IPU delegates and lawmakers from 145 countries. "It’s part of the security measures designed by the government to ensure the safety of all the delegates and their companions," Bataoil said.

PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao declared "all systems go" yesterday with security measures fully in place for the IPU six-day summit.

Lomibao said the government is also taking the opportunity to promote the country’s tourism industry. "We are prepared for the IPU. Security measures have been placed in the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) and other areas to be visited by delegates and their families," he said.

He said a total of 15,000 policemen would be deployed at the PICC area where the summit is to be held.

Policemen have been assigned to prevent vagrants and ambulant vendors from entering the area. PNP Intelligence Group director Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan said Task Force Parliament was created to clear the area of vendors and vagrants.

The PNP, through its task force, will also coordinate its security efforts with the Pasay City and Manila city officials, along with providing personal security for each delegate, he said.

Only establishments with proper permits will be allowed to operate in the area with strict security supervisions, Rafanan said.

Rafanan stressed there is no specific threat against the delegates but security forces are not ruling out possible terror attacks during the six-day summit.