APEC Summit 2015: Security Tight in the Philippines as Leaders Continue to Arrive
In light of the ongoing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, this year's host country, the Philippines, is pulling all the stops to ensure the safety of the world leaders and delegates attending the event. The Philippine Government has implemented tight security measures since the beginning of the week.
The APEC Summit 2015 will be attended by numerous world leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama, who arrived earlier today in the Philippines. The event can attract all sorts of unexpected disruptions or violence, which the Philippine Government reportedly made sure not to happen.
The Associated Press reports that more than 30,000 military, police and civilian personnel have assembled and are in their assigned positions to ensure the safety of the leaders from 21 countries, who will be participating in the APEC Summit in Metro Manila.
Associated Press further states that the Philippine Government prepared for all sorts of possible threats including terrorism and even natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, floods, etc. National Police Chief Ricardo Marquez said that gun licenses for civilians have been suspended for the week.
"Everything is considered: security, public order, emergency preparedness," Marquez said. The Philippine Government also said that "no stone will be left unturned" to ensure the safety of the countries' leaders and the 7,000 delegates of the summit.
Martin Aguda, a public safety expert, talked with CNN Philippines. Aguda said that the recent attacks in Paris, where 130 people were killed, are warnings that the Philippine Government must tighten the security in mass gatherings such as the APEC summit.
CNN Philippines further revealed that roads in Metro Manila have been closed including the entire Roxas Boulevard, which is the route of the leaders towards the APEC venue at the Philippine International Convention Center.
The visitors for the APEC summit have also been allotted special lanes in the country's major roads like the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, separating them from ordinary vehicles traveling in the city for more security and faster travel towards the venue.
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport have also tightened its security, CNN Philippines reports. The airport has been patrolled by the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force to ensure the safety arrival of the APEC delegates as well as their departure on Friday when the summit concludes.
Associated Press reports that a total of 1,700 flights, both domestic and international, have been canceled to make way for the arrival and departure of the delegates.
Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte announced that the preparations are just to anticipate all sorts of activities that may or may not happen during the APEC Summit. "It is better to be over prepared than caught under prepared," Valte said.
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