Philippines steps up security in wake of attacks in France — APEC meet

Mr. Putin had opted out of the summit and is sending a representative instead. “We are only anticipating protest actions that may disrupt the convoys of the APEC delegates”, he added.

The source said that Gen Prayut will welcome the conclusion of the TPP negotiations led by the USA during the meeting.

Philippines officials say there has been no intelligence suggesting there might be an attack on the Manila summit, which will be attended by US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, but about 30,000 police and soldiers have been deployed to guard it.

Aside from calling on APEC to discuss the maritime dispute, Golez said APEC should also condemn China’s nine-dash claim on the disputed waters, and ask China to stop construction and reclamation and to uphold worldwide law by subjecting itself to the arbitration case filed by the Philippines.

Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor, spokesman for the Philippine National Police, told reporters the nation’s entire police force is on “red alert” after the series of attacks in Paris that left at least 129 dead.

Bomb sniffing dogs were also dispatched in sensitive areas of the airport and foot patrols of the perimeter have been increased.

The US Department of Energy formally turned over Mobile Detection System vans and kits to deter threats of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons to the PNP in a brief ceremony at Camp Crame on Monday.

Even trucks supplying aviation fuel will have to deal with heavy security.

The Philippines has allocated about P10 billion for hosting the Apec this year, and the President has expressed the desire for the Apec Summit to be “flawless and seamless”.

Police have assured that all possible security scenarios including possible terror attacks, have already been considered into the framing of the comprehensive Apec security plan.

“Perhaps, after what happened in Paris, they will again inspect all buildings where Apec events will be held as part of their preparations”, Marcos said.

Filipino security forces conducted a mock terrorist attack and response at the Apec venue yesterday, with about a hundred special forces troops jumping out of a military helicopter and storming the building.

“We are starting to understand the advantages of supporting IB in the sense that Latin America has the greatest disparity in distribution of wealth”, he said. The issue is expected to also be a key topic during the U.S. president’s subsequent visit to Malaysia for another regional summit.

Obama will likely discuss the friction over the South China Sea and military relations when he meets with Philippine President Benigno Aquino on the sidelines of the summit, said Philip Goldberg, USA ambassador to the Philippines.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) is an inter-governmental forum that seeks to promote sustainable growth and economic integration, and reduce trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders’ summit takes place November 18 and 19.