PRO 7 to Implement APEC Security Net for 51st IEC to Secure 1M Devotees

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 will implement similar security measures in the last Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) senior ministerial meetings in Cebu during the 51st International Eucharistic Congress in the last week of January next year, an official said.

But Superintendent Arnel Banzon of the PRO 7 said the IEC is more challenging because the activities will mostly take place outdoors.

The APEC senior ministerial meetings in Cebu, attended by some 3,600 delegates, were held inside hotels.

At least one million devotees are expected to flock to IEC events from January 24 to 31 next year, Banzon said.

The police are expected to be busy in January because of the IEC, which will be preceded by the Sinulog Festival during the third week of January.

Senior Superintendent Marciano Batiancela Jr., acting chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said they already have a security template for the Sinulog, but they lack manpower.

The PRO 7 plans to ask for augmentation forces from other provinces and cities during the Sinulog festivities and the IEC.

PRO 7 Director Manuel Gaerlan said he is “taking seriously” the possibility of terrorism in the IEC, although no terrorist group has issued a threat.

“We take terrorism very seriously, especially because it’s very hard to detect, considering that this is a religious activity,” he said. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS