To ensure that nothing untoward will mar the four-day
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in Metro Manila, the
military has mobilized all of its available air, land, and sea assets to secure
the meeting.
Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said
all PAF air assets will be on full standby alert 24/7 and are pre-positioned in
strategic locations for quick response.
Aircraft to be deployed are the SIAI-Machetti SF-250TP and
S-211, which are tasked for air patrol and air intercept missions.
This is aside from the Bell UH-1 helicopters which are being
readied for APEC security duties.
Aside from its troopers, the Philippine Army (PA) also
deployed armor vehicles to secure the venues which will be visited by the APEC
delegates.
"We deployed enough armor assets around Metro Manila.
We can't tell you (their) exact locations. Its mission is to assist the PNP in
the security of APEC," PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said.
Hao declined to comment on what types and armament these
armored vehicles are carrying.
Majority of APEC meetings and venues are concentrated in the
southern part of Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) is deploying the BRP
Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), one of the country's most modern warships, to secure the
APEC meeting which will run from Nov. 17 to 20th.
The former Hamilton-class cutter will be helping the Coast
Guard implements its no-sail policy in Manila
Bay which is behind the Philippine
International Convention Center in Pasay
City
As of this posting, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz is conducting
security patrols off Manila
Bay
The ship, which is equipped with a brand-new AgustaWestland
AW-109 "Power" helicopter, can act as command-and-control vessel in
event of emergencies.
With its helicopter, the ship can response in minutes should
anything untoward happen.
The 3,200-ton frigate can also be used as an evacuation
center if needed.
It is also armed with a Oto Melara 76mm cannon and two Mark
38 Model 2 "Bushmaster" 25 auto-cannons, giving it the capability to
deal with hostile threats.
Its 76mm cannon can engage targets up to 20 kilometers while
its 25mm weapons has an effective range of two kilometers.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=827642
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