Security tightens ahead of Boracay APEC meetings

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will tighten security in Boracay Island ahead of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings next month.

Senior Inspector Frenzy Andrade, acting chief of Boracay police, said security measures and plans across Boracay Island are in place in coordination with law enforcement agencies. 

Two ministerial meetings in Boracay Island will be held from May 10 to 24, one of the island’s high-profile international events in decades.

Andrade said closed-circuit security cameras will be installed in the beach front and strategic areas by the municipal government of Malay and the PNP to beef up security.

Over the last three months, Task Group-Boracay, BTAC, auxiliary police and Salaam police volunteers are also conducting regular patrols in the front beach in the lead-up to APEC meetings. 

Minors are rounded up for violation of the curfew ordinance while brochures of illegal tour guides and commissioners with overpriced sea sports activities are confiscated. 

Apart from beach patrols, Andrade said the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) is adopting a 12-hour duty rotation for its 103-personnel in preparations for the APEC meetings here. 

PNP is tapping an additional 200 police force to safeguard the international event, the summit venues and billeting areas where the delegates are staying, he added in an interview by RMN DyKR Kalibo. 

Police and military forces will be assigned also in intelligence support, traffic and monitoring.  Security sub-task groups are also created to ensure the safety and security of all delegates from Asia-Pacific countries. 

Last week, Chief Superintendent Josephus Angan, police regional director held a meeting with the Committee on Security, Peace and Order and Emergency Preparedness in Boracay for the APEC preparations.