Amid Paris attacks, APEC security preparations tightened

Philippine Marines mount anti-aircraft guns at the vicinity of the PICC, the venue of the APEC Leaders’ Summit to be held this week. (Photo from the Asia Times’ website)

MANILA – Following the terrorist attacks on Paris, none among the 17 delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit to be held in the Philippines this week pulled out from the annual gathering.

United States President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, among 21 APEC economic leaders, were expected to attend the summit.

With reports disclosing the Islamic State’s alleged plan to attack Russia next, President Vladimir Putin backed out from the APEC meetings although officials claimed that ‘domestic issues’ were the reason behind the cancellation of his attendance.

Philippine authorities then vowed for ‘higher security’ at the economic meetings. The Armed Forces and the National Police units were placed on ‘full alert’ status already in effect since last week. They have also been ordered to continue monitoring the situation and consider taking necessary steps to fine-tune security procedures for the hosting.

“There is no credible threat registered at this time, but let us all be cooperative and vigilant… We are taking all necessary precautions,” President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said in a statement, also expressed outrage over the recent Islamic State attacks that killed at least 129 people in Paris.

Although intelligence units have not received any specific or direct security threat, target hardening measures on vital military and police installations, particularly airports, seaports and rail systems in the country were further elevated.

“The alert status was raised as a matter of procedure following any international terrorist incident such as… attacks in Paris,” Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Restituto Padilla said.

In an interview with radio dzRB, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte noted that heightened security was a standard operating procedure in the event of a terrorist attack or a national calamity.

“We are just taking our usual precautions… This is part of the anticipated alert level that will be required because of our hosting of the APEC Economic Leader’s [Meeting],” Valte said.

“The attacks… showed not only predetermination but the cruelty that demands the greatest indignation from the world. The Philippines mourns the dead and stands shoulder to shoulder with France. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our visitors and our people. This is a message that has been sent not just in light of the incidents in Paris,” she added.

Aquino also convened the Security Cluster at the Malacañang to ensure all security preparations for the APEC summit were already in place.

“President Aquino wanted to ensure that all our preparations are in place and all contingencies have been planned for. As he said, it is better to be overprepared than caught unprepared,” Valte said.