NCRPO goes full swing with security preparations for APEC

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said that security preparations for the Manila hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting are now in full swing.

NCRPO Director Joel Pagdilao, also Task Group APEC Manila commander, said the venues of the summit as well as the hotels to be used by the delegates have now all been secured.

Pagdilao added that tabletop exercises have also been held with the PNP’s other partner agencies to test the security preparations, operational readiness and adequacy of resources for the activities.

According to Pagdilao, the tabletop exercises will also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the 19 partner agencies involved as far as securing the safety and security of all dignitaries and delegates before and after the APEC meet.

Pagdilao also said no possible threats to the APEC meet has been monitored by the NCRPO. Pagdilao however instructed all concerned metro district directors and chiefs of police to continue the conduct of anti-criminality operations in their respective area of responsibility to prevent any threat groups or individual criminals from taking advantage of the situation.

“We cannot afford any disruption of peace and order here in the metro, we will make sure that no group or individual will disrupt the event and endanger the delegates, especially around the vicinity of the conference venue, road routes, and other places where delegates are expected to meet,” he said.

Pagdilao said security preparations for billeting of the delegates have also been coordinated with concerned hotel security officers and the Presidential Security Group (PSG). Travelers, motorists and the commuting public are also advised to take note of the rerouting schemes within the metro.

Pagdilao also seeks public cooperation, support and understanding in all the NCRPOs undertaking before and after the APEC. Necessary adjustments were made to safeguard all APEC delegates and to lessen their travel time between venues.

Meanwhile, Pagdilao said the NCRPO will still sustain its “Oplan Lambat Sibat” anti-crime drive even while performing its APEC duties.

“Obligasyon natin sa buong mundo na protektahan ang mga delegado, siguruhin ang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa panahon ng APEC at sa ating mga mamamayan,” Pagdilao said. “Sinisiguro ko sa inyo na buong pwersa ng NCRPO na gagampanan ang aming tungkulin upang mapangalagaan at masigurong ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan sa lahat ng oras.”