Philippine military and its police force remained on full alert on Monday (November 16), just two days before a summit of Asia-Pacific (APEC) leaders in Manila and three days following the deadly attacks in Paris.
Regional tensions over the South China Sea and security concerns after the attack by Islamist militants on Paris could eclipse efforts by Pacific-rim leaders this week to boost trade and growth across a region of around 3 billion people.
The Philippines went on high alert following the strike on France’s capital, ramping up security in its capital to ensure the safety of thousands of delegates.
Traffic snarled across the city of 12 million on Monday as police closed off many roads leading to meeting venues where ministers held preparatory talks ahead of the Nov 18-19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ meeting.
Philippines officials say there has been no intelligence suggesting there might be an attack on the Manila summit, which will be attended by U.S. 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.
“We have not received any information, we are trying to verify these reports. Our intelligence units are out there, the National Intelligence Fusion Center,” Police Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said in regards to militant threats.
Security intensified in Manila following the Paris attacks, in which gunmen and bombers killed 129 people, as they targeted restaurants, a concert hall, and a sports stadium.
On Thursday (November 12), summit organisers said all buildings along a major boulevard near Manila Bay designated for use by summit vehicles ferrying world leaders were advised to keep their windows shut as a security measure.
There are no known links between Islamic State fighters and Philippine militant groups, but Islamist militants based in the country’s south have carried out several attacks in Manila in the past.
A two-day meeting of APEC member ministers opens on Monday and will be followed by the summit itself on November 18-19.
Security forces have blocked major roads around the summit venues to hold protesters back, street dwellers have been moved away, and one of Manila’s largest bazaars has been dismantled to help avoid the traffic jams that usually plague the city.
Nearly 1,400 domestic and international flights scheduled during the summit week have been cancelled, and schools and public offices will be closed, but the stock exchange will remain open. (Reuters)