Security tightened for APEC ministerial meet

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – Security has been tightened around the Clark Freeport Zone and in Subic, Zambales as foreign delegates start to arrive for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) first ministerial meeting today.

Hundreds of police officers were deployed around hotels where delegates are staying, said Chief Superintendent Ronald Santos, officer-in-charge of Police Regional Office 3.      

Santos said the regional police office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Olongapo City police office and Bureau of Fire Protection stepped up their security measures and emergency preparedness for the event.

Meanwhile, the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Central Luzon slammed the government for hosting the meetings, which will run until Feb. 7.

The militants said only the capitalists would benefit from the policies and agreements that would result from the APEC meetings.