QUEZON CITY, Nov. 15 -- Security measures are in place for the country’s hosting of the 2015 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week on November 18 to 19 in Manila.
During the weekly Kapihan sa Media ng Bayan, Padilla said the country’s preparations began when the country first hosted the APEC Summit in 1996. He said those in-charge of peace and order and security now also took part in the preparations then. He added that security measures put in place during last year’s visit by Pope Francis were also part of preparations for this year’s APEC summit.
“Ang paghahanda at simulation exercises natin ay tuluy-tuloy,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Col. Restituto F. Padilla, Jr. “Ang level of confidence natin na mag-host nito ay mataas na at handang-handa na tayo sa pagdating ng ating mga bisita.”
“Zero risk, zero incident”
The government and those involved in security and intelligence surveillance operatives are continuously monitoring possible threats to security during the conduct of APEC economic leaders meeting week.
“Base sa ating mga nakukuhang monitoring at sensing of environment, wala naman po tayong serious na banta sa ating mga bisitang darating,” Padilla said.“Kung nakita ninyo po, wala naman tayong nabalitaan na masamang nangyari noong nakaraang mga buwan.”
He added that security preparations revolve around a “zero risk, zero incident” goal. “Ang aming motto sa security task force ay zero risk, zero incident, yan ang ating hinahabol. Kaya lahat ng ating preparasyon ay nakabase para ma-achieve natin iyan.”
Maximum tolerance
The Security Task Force foresees series of protests and rallies during the economic leaders meeting week that is why they have devoted particular areas or ‘freedom parks’ for protesters to exercise and voice out their objections.
Padilla said, “Ang AFP at kapulisan ay sinisugurado na mae-exercise nila (protesters) ang right na iyan pero may mga alituntunin tayo na dapat sundin.”
In areas outside of freedom parks, protesters would only be allowed to hold protests after securing a permit from their local government.
Padilla called on the protesters to follow the guidelines of the Security Task Force. “Hinihiling namin sa mga magpoprotesta na dumaan sa tamang paraan,” he said. “Maximum tolerance po ang ipatutupad ng ating gobyerno.”
“Bilang isang host, ipakita natin yung pinakamagandang mukha ng Pilipino, na hospitable tayo, maayos tayong nabubuhay sa ating lugar at mga disiplinado tayong mga Pilipino,” Padilla said. (Kristine Agustin/Media ng Bayan-OpCen/RDA)