Cebu cops start VIP protection course for APEC; cabbies get orientation too

Some 200 police personnel in Cebu province on Wednesday started taking part in a VIP protection course in preparation for the hosting of this year's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation events.

The police personnel in camouflage uniforms were trained in skills ranging from formations to use of firearms in dealing with threats, GMA Cebu's Chona Carreon reported.

About 3,200 delegates and visitors from 21 APEC member economies are to take part in the Cebu activities.

Other police personnel will also be assigned to anti-criminality duties to protect the guests during their stay in Cebu.

They will watch against the Salisi, Laglag-Barya and Tiyempo Gangs, who may prey on some guests who visit tourist spots, restaurants or malls.

A photo posted on Carreon's Facebook page showed some of the police personnel participating in exercises in using pistols to deal with threats.

Police held their training at Camp Sergio Osmeña in Cebu City.


The training is to last for 10 days.

APEC activities in Cebu include:


But the Cebu provincial government said Cebu province will host APEC ministerial meetings on energy, finance, transportation and structural reform from August until October.

"Ministers from APEC member countries with their families and staff as well as foreign news correspondents are expected to come to Cebu for this international event," it said.

Cabbies

Meanwhile, some 200 taxi drivers on Wednesday attended an orientation on dealing with guests at the APEC activities in Cebu.

Holding the orientation were the Office of Civil Defense and Department of Tourism, the Cebu provincial government said.

GMA Cebu's Vic Serna reported the two-day course on Wednesday and Thursday will cover some 400 taxi drivers.

The course teaches them not only to be courteous but also to protect their passengers in case of emergencies. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News