APEC wraps up Cebu anti-terror meeting

CEBU, Philippines - Ideas, connections, and contacts were key points of discussion and engagement among representatives of 21 economies that participated in the 6th Counter -Terrorism Working Group Meeting, one of the meetings in the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Cebu.

The two-day meeting culminated yesterday.

CTWG Chairperson Oscar Valenzuela said the participants were able to discuss updates on the Counter-Terrorism Action Plan of each economy, which is meant to secure travel, supply chain, finance and infrastructure.

He praised the representatives of the 21 member economies for their active participation in APEC’s thrust in combatting the growing threat of the Foreign Terrorist Fighter Phenomenon and the rising influence of the Islamic states of Iraq and Syria.

Valenzuela said the information and contacts shared during the meeting are important because they provided the economies a better outlook on how to address the threats, from one economy to another.

The United States and Russia presented their respective action plans with the US facilitating the Secure Travel Workshop and the New Payment Workshop meant to make the member economies aware of how terrorists operate these days because it “involves a wide spectrum of issues, from economies, to politics to ideologies.” “Humanity must win...we must not allow our people to live in fear...its a battle not just only to protect our territory and economies but also a battle to protect our way of life,” Valenzuela said.

Valenzuela said APEC is in constant coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and with the World Customs Organization, allies in the fight against terrorism.

With implementation of the Strategic Plan 2013 – 2017, Valenzuela said the member economies can also learn from Indonesia on how the country bounced back from the bombings in Jakarta and Bali that killed scores of tourists and locals.

Valenzuela also announced that Australia has accepted the vice chairmanship post in CTWG. The 7th CTWG Meeting is expected to be held in Peru in February next year.

Delegates’ tour

Meanwhile, the heritage tour participated by at least 50 APEC delegates in Cebu City went smoothly yesterday.

“Light lang kaayo ang traffic… wala mi nakita nga problema,” said Jonathan Tumulak, operations division chief of the Cebu City Transport Office.

Only the corner of Mabini Street and Colon Street was closed temporarily for about 30 minutes.

Tumulak said enough personnel were deployed to guide motorists and pedestrians – 30 motorized personnel along the priority lanes and 10 others at main intersections in downtown Cebu City.

Tumulak said only minor traffic interruptions were experienced as the convoy of delegates moved from one historical site to the next.

Today, security will be tightened as high level delegates visit the same historical sites.

“Mas pahugtan namo ugma tungod kay mga higher ministers ang mag-tour na starting from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.,” Tumulak said.

The delegates are expected to visit the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro, Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, Heritage of Cebu Monument, Colon Street, and SM Seaside Cube at the South Road Properties, among others. —/JMO (FREEMAN)