APEC security deployed 3 days ahead of meetings

CEBU, Philippines - Close to 3,000 police augmentation personnel have been deployed around Metro Cebu three days ahead of the scheduled opening of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Cebu.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas has also declared the entire region under full alert status effective yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the directorial staff, said a total of 2,800 policemen from Bohol, Negros, Siquijor, and Regional Public Safety Battalion-7, have been deployed in Cebu to serve as augmentation force for the APEC meetings. Lawas said 1,800 of them were deployed in Cebu City.

According to Lawas, they are expecting more augmentation personnel from the Special Action Force and from the Philippine Army.

Lawas assured that the regular police work in the provinces will not be compromised despite asking augmentation personnel from them. He said only 30 percent of the police force from the provinces was given APEC duty.

Bañas said they are now close to 100 percent ready in the security preparations for the APEC meetings.

Bañas said the National and Regional Joint Task Force Operation Center was already activated while the site task group on emergency preparedness is also in place.

 “Hindi pa masabi na 100 percent. Siguro mga 97 percent pa pero we’re slowly reaching the 100 percent level,” said Bañas.

During the send-off ceremony yesterday at the PRO-7 ground, Bañas reminded his men to maintain a high standard of efficiency and professionalism.

“Because they project image of whole policemen not just in the local but in the whole country,” said Bañas.

Truck ban

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued a memorandum directing the Cebu City Traffic Office to implement truck ban starting on August 22 until September 5.

At least three areas were identified by Rama to be affected by the truck ban. These are Juan Luna to Salinas Drive, Salinas Drive to Veterans and Juan Luna corner Archbishop Reyes to Gorordo/Archbishop Reyes.  The truck ban will be in effect starting at 6 a.m. until 10 p.m.

The truck ban was upon the recommendation of the APEC committee, said Rama.— (FREEMAN)