Brace for ‘inconvenience’ on APEC week, public warned

Patrol boats of the Philippine Navy are positioned off Manila Bay as they implement a no-sail zone near the venue of next week’s APEC Summit of Leaders. (AP Photo)

SECURITY adjustments for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meet in Metro Manila next week is looking to be such a huge undertaking that officials warned the public to just stay at home or hie off to the provinces to avoid being inconvenienced.

This was the advice of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the general public, during a press conference in Pasay city held on Wednesday by the APEC 2015 security task force led by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“There’s going to be a certain level of inconvenience, whether we like it or not, for that period of time. It would be better if you just stay at home,” Interior Secretary Mel Sarmiento said.

From Nov. 16 to 20, the international summit will be held in various venues particularly in Makati and Pasay cities. The days-long presence of at least 21 heads of state and other international dignitaries in the National Capital Region have prompted security forces to schedule road closures, traffic reroutes, flight cancellations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, class and government work suspensions, and even a gun ban on the same week.

Over the week, the police will be securing the 16 hotels in Manila, Makati, Pasay and even in Mandaluyong cities; and the World Trade center, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as well as the national airport and routes the VIPs will be taking to and from these areas, said National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Chief Insp. Kimberly Molitas, in a press briefing yesterday.