Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU, July 21 (PIA) -- Floating assets and personnel will be deployed
five days prior to the start of the first APEC meeting in Cebu as the
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-7) bared the maritime security preparations are all
in place for the international meetings.
PCG-7 Chief of Staff Commander Weniel
Azcuna said there are two strategic areas where the floating assets will be
stationed which will be in Mactan Channel near the Cebu City venue and another
fronting the Shangri-la Resort in Lapulapu City.
“Five days before the start of the
first meeting, we will already be deploying our sea assets and personnel to
ensure strict security within the areas where the delegates will be,” said
Azcuna during the forum of the Association of Government Information Officers
(AGIO-7).
PCG-7 leads the Maritime Security Task
Unit (MSTU) for the APEC Cebu 2015 with member agencies from the Navforcen,
Cebu Port Authority, MARINA-7, Philippine Port Authority and the Regional
Maritime Unit-7.
Azcuna said the MSTU member agencies
have already committed its floating assets and some personnel for augmentation
to strengthen maritime security including along the coastlines.
“We will also be providing security to
the delegates when they go out on a tour to Bohol,” said Azcuna adding that a
tour to Panglao is being proposed by the Department of Tourism-7.
The first APEC meeting in Cebu is set
on August 22 as five days prior, a heightened alert will already be issued,
said Azcuna.
The PCG-7 official also said 600 yards
from the coastline in Shangri-la going out 500 yards more will be declared a
“No Sail Zone” starting August 17 and will end two days after the last APEC
meeting.
Maximum tolerance will also be adopted
in case of sea rallies but Azcuna said the most challenging will be the weather
in case of any disturbance as this will affect their floating assets in the
area.
P/Supt. Marvin De Paz, station chief
701st, Maritime Police Station of the Regional Maritime Unit-7 in the same
forum said they are strengthening intelligence monitoring against sectoral
groups that might launch sea rallies. “But as of now, we have not yet receive
any reports of possible rallies at sea,” said De Paz.
“As of now, we are 95 percent ready and
prepared to secure the delegates when they come to Cebu,” said Azcuna.
(rmn/fcr/PIA7)