PRO 7 Holds Send-Off Rites for 1,000 Cops Deployed for APEC Meetings

(PNA) — The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 on Wednesday held the send-off rites for some 1,000 policemen to be deployed for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit meetings in Cebu.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Tom Banas, PRO 7 director, said the police personnel came from the different police units in the four provinces in Central Visayas.

Banas said they would form the frontline in the security component of the summit.

Banas reminded them of their responsibility in securing the APEC Summit and the delegates.

Some 3,200 delegates are expected to attend the summit.

”The eyes of the world and of the nation are on us. So, let us rise up to the challenge,” Banas said.

The PRO 7 earlier raised a heightened alert as delegates started to arrive in Cebu Wednesday for the summit.

Security in nearby provinces such as in Bohol and Siquijor were also heightened as some delegates may choose to take a quick visit to these areas.

Organizers said Cebu was ready for the senior ministerial meetings.

Earlier concerns on the increase of hotel rates in Cebu have been ironed out after organizers found out that it was primarily “market-driven.” (PNA) RMA/JFM/EB/EDS