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Wednesday, february 15, 2017
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Police officers distribute flyers containing crime prevention tips to foreign tourists at the White Beach in Boracay. BORACAY TOURIST ASSISTANCE CENTER
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BORACAY – That more than 3,000 soldiers, police officers and support groups were guarding the island resort for the two Asean Summit meetings this month should not come as a surprise, authorities said.
Reacting to criticisms that there was “security over-deployment,” Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, regional police spokesperson, clarified that the number of enforcers was “standard” for international events.
“Huwag silang mabiglâ,” said Gorero. “Hindi lang ang isla at Aklan ang nakataya dito kundi ang integridad ng bansang Pilipinas.”
(They should not be shocked. Not only the island and Aklan are at stake here, but also the Philippines’ integrity.)
The world-famous island is hosting the 23rd Senior Officials Meeting of the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights from Feb. 13 to 15 and the Asean Ministerial Meeting Retreat from Feb. 19 to 21.
Authorities were following a “major event security framework” similar to the one applied during the APEC meetings in 2015.
It involves the “utilization of available resources, including ambulances, fire trucks and [police] patrol cars,” said Gorero.
“We are deploying local and national resources strategically. They are ready whenever they are needed,” the officer added.
But he insisted there was no terrorist or major security threat targeting the gathering of around 400 diplomats from 10 countries.
“I would like to be clear that there is no specific terrorism threat for this Asean meeting,” the police official stressed. “We are implementing tight security because it is the standard [procedure].”
Among those deployed were civilian volunteers from 21 agencies. They were assigned in traffic management, air and maritime security, and emergency and rescue.
Police officers were surrounding meeting venues and billeting areas, while Navy personnel were patrolling the beaches.
Many of the enforcers were dressed as tourists. (Jun Aguirre and Boy Ryan Zabal, with Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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