PCG-7: Maritime Security Preps in Place for APEC in Cebu

(PIA) — Floating assets and personnel will be deployed five days prior to the start of the first APEC meeting in Cebu as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-7) bared the maritime security preparations are all in place for the international meetings.

PCG-7 Chief of Staff Commander Weniel Azcuna said there are two strategic areas where the floating assets will be stationed which will be in Mactan Channel near the Cebu City venue and another fronting the Shangri-la Resort in Lapulapu City.

“Five days before the start of the first meeting, we will already be deploying our sea assets and personnel to ensure strict security within the areas where the delegates will be,” said Azcuna during the forum of the Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO-7).

PCG-7 leads the Maritime Security Task Unit (MSTU) for the APEC Cebu 2015 with member agencies from the Navforcen, Cebu Port Authority, MARINA-7, Philippine Port Authority and the Regional Maritime Unit-7.

Azcuna said the MSTU member agencies have already committed its floating assets and some personnel for augmentation to strengthen maritime security including along the coastlines.

“We will also be providing security to the delegates when they go out on a tour to Bohol,” said Azcuna adding that a tour to Panglao is being proposed by the Department of Tourism-7.

The first APEC meeting in Cebu is set on August 22 as five days prior, a heightened alert will already be issued, said Azcuna.

The PCG-7 official also said 600 yards from the coastline in Shangri-la going out 500 yards more will be declared a “No Sail Zone” starting August 17 and will end two days after the last APEC meeting.

Maximum tolerance will also be adopted in case of sea rallies but Azcuna said the most challenging will be the weather in case of any disturbance as this will affect their floating assets in the area.

P/Supt. Marvin De Paz, station chief 701st, Maritime Police Station of the Regional Maritime Unit-7 in the same forum said they are strengthening intelligence monitoring against sectoral groups that might launch sea rallies. “But as of now, we have not yet receive any reports of possible rallies at sea,” said De Paz.

“As of now, we are 95 percent ready and prepared to secure the delegates when they come to Cebu,” said Azcuna. (rmn/fcr/PIA7)

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