PNP Security Operations for APEC Meetings in Full Swing

(PNA) – The PNP Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) on Wednesday said that the security operation for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings is in full swing.

”The PSPG’s APEC security preparations started late last year is now in full swing as it approaches the APEC economic leaders meeting on Nov. 18 and 19, 2015 wherein 21 economic countries with Columbia in an observer status will be participating,” PSPG Spokesperson Police Supt. Rogelio Simon said.

He said that PSPG would deploy 800 personnel to provide security for the heads of state in the upcoming APEC Summit.

” From the PSPG we are preparing around 800 personnel because hindi lang naman yng PSPG yung magagamit dito. Meron din yung HPG, the NCRPO, the regional battalion of the NCRPO. We have also support from the Region IV and Region III. So, from the PSPG, more or less, 800 persons,” he explained adding that all the 800 personnel will be providing security, they will be utilized as security officers, close-in security, on-board security, area security, conference security officers, advance team and tactical operation center personnel.

” The PSPGs are concentrated for the ministers of the participating countries because for the heads of states, or the economic leaders, will be handled by the PSG, so ministers down, the PSPG will be providing security for them,” Simon said.

He added the PSPG would also provide security in hotel as security officer and close-in security.

”Kasama ang mga PSPG natin sa pagbabantay hanggang sa kwarto nila. Kasi meron tayong mga assigned na room security officer din, close-in security. Kapag sinabing close-in security yun yung talagang katabi niya mga ministers,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Simon said that the ongoing six policy partnership on science, technology and innovation and high level policy on science and technology in higher education at the PICC from Aug. 10 to Aug. 14 this year is the 17th APEC-related meeting prior to the AELM on November wherein, from the start, the PSPG is being utilized as security officers, security, conference officers security, advance party personnel of the tactical operations center and the close-in security of the ministers.

Simon also said that last week the PSPG conducted the first organizational meeting for billet commanders and assistant billet commanders for the preparation for the APEC on the ministerial meeting on AELM on November.

He said the meeting was presided by PSPG Director, Police Chief Supt. Manuel V. Felix, who is also the task group commander of the special task group security of the delegates. Attendees include the operations officer of the NCRPO, the HPG and the PSPG.

The PSPG spokesperson also said that one of the preparation related in APEC was the series of training of the personnel of NCRPO and nearby regions.

”Meron tayong naka-schedule na August 3 to 14 ay close protection orientation course for the NCRPO personnel. Again, Aug 10 and 24, the same protection orientation course also. Again 12, today, up to September 3 is the vital installation security course with composite team from NCRPO, PSPG, Highway patrol and from other units of the PNP,” he said.

Billet commanders and assistant billet commanders were scheduled for billet security course to be held tentatively at PSG next week.

”For billet commanders, this is the senior officers that will be assigned in the hotel to serve as the overall ground commander as far as the security of the hotel is concerned.

Then meron tayong (we have) close protection refresher course for the security officers and close-in security at the PSPG training room. On September we have the basic radio communications seminar for close –in security and tactical operations center personnel. Kasi gagamit kami lahat dun ng mga radio (Since we will all use radios) especially dun sa operations center natin. First week of September we have the regular course o close-protection course for the PSPG and we have the second organizational meeting with the billet commanders and assistant billet commanders to be presided by the OIC-DO at the World Trade Center,” Simon said.

Asked if they were also preparing for a worst case scenario, Simo says “Yes. Every APEC-related meeting na ganito like what we are doing now sa PICC, yung August 10 to 14. Before August 10, one week before that, nagko-conduct kami ng mga scenarios. Dun na rin ginagawa yung table top exercises, simulation exercises, yung mga dry runs, walk through.”,

He also said that foreign counterparts have already arrived as advance party to prepare for the preparation of their leaders and or their ministers

The APEC attendees are expected to reach 7,200 official delegates from 21 countries , excluding foreign media delegations, said Simon. (PNA) RMA/CLTC