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The Philippine government seems to be pulling out all the stops for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Imagine if our government officials made the same effort for us.
“At least 1,350 policemen would be pulled out of their assignments in Bicol and Calabarzon regions for deployment to Metro Manila to help provide security for the more than 7,200 delegates from the 21 countries participating in the APEC Summit on November 17 to 20,” report Delfin Mallari Jr. and Ma. April Mier in Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The report noted: “A total of 806 policemen will come from Bicol and another 544 will come from Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). Senior Insp. Maria Louisa Calubaquib, spokesperson for the Bicol regional office of the Philippine National Police, said the Bicol Civil Disturbance Management team (CDM), which was divided into two battalions, would come from different units in Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon.”
Calubaquib explained that “only CDM units from the Bicol mainland were tapped for APEC deployment, and cops from the island-provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes were no longer called, as it would be easier to move the police from the mainland.”
She stated, “Aside from the double effort, it would be more expensive if we include those who are not in the mainland. They (police from the Bicol mainland) are now on standby alert; all bags are packed and ready to go. We are just waiting for the directives from the national headquarters.”
The official said they have not been told their specific assignment at the APEC augmentation force.
Photo: PNP website (screengrab)
