WELL-SUPPORTED TROOPS KEY TO SUCCESSFUL APEC SECURITY MISSION

The PNP maintains there was sufficient logistics support for police troops that ultimately resulted in the successful handling of security operations during the just-concluded 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Manila.

“The main reason why the APEC security operations succeeded is due to the fact that the troops involved were well-supported with their operational and administrative needs to perform the mission,” according to PNP Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Wilben M Mayor.

Mayor explained that the temporary and improvised billeting facilities used by augmentation troops from other regions were inside built-up commercial areas such as in HK Sun Plaza along Macapagal Blvd, that was converted and furnished to provide basic necessities for our policemen.

Although these sleeping quarters lacked the luxuries of a 5-star hotel accommodation, it effectively served the purpose of a decent shelter for the transient troops and kept them within their assigned areas of deployment for the APEC security operations, which is among the strategic considerations in accommodating the troops within “striking distance” of their assigned post.

Besides, there are no billeting facilities nearby that can accommodate such a large number of persons, Mayor said

Nonetheless, the PNP is still eyeing further development of the capability to provide better administrative support to large-scale troop deployment in field operations similar to the magnitude and extent of PNP operations during the Zamboanga City crisis, Tacloban City rescue operations and the 2015 APEC Summit.

Mayor said important lessons were learned in these police operations particularly in systems and procedures on logistics management.

He said, this logistics capability is envisioned to support PNP Units engaged in extended police operations that require provisions for movement, shelter, food service, supplies, and other basic needs of troops.

This involves lift capability to transport troops, equipment and supplies; temporary shelter and accomodations for troops with self-reliant water and power generation: and adequate food and medical provisions.

In the APEC experience, Mayor said primordial among the objectives of the security preparations made by the PNP during the holding of the APEC AELM 2015 was to provide all PNP personnel deployed with hot meals on time.

To realize this, he said, the PNP implemented a Food Distribution Plan wherein the following best practices of the previous preparatory APEC Meetings were introduced: 1) a standard menu plan to be followed by all caterers in the preparation of the meal packs wherein in nine (9) days, no menu will be repeated and serving of two (2) cups of rice & 500ml bottled water.

The PNP also formed Food Distribution Teams detailing mess supervisors and mess inspectors by all involved units who ensured that food are distributed on time, meals are sufficient and sanitary standards are observed by caterers and likewise address food provision concerns.

To support this, the Directorate for Logistics created and established the following: Situation Monitoring and Management Team SMMR at SPD classroom which provided a venue for critiquing and planning with the end in view of addressing food provision concerns; DL Inspection and Monitoring and Forward Logistics Teams that provided feedback mechanism on various logistical concerns especially the food provision.

The teams distributed additional food and water to deployed personnel and recommended to the SMMR necessary actions to be taken on issues and concerns noted. With this, the PNP was able to manage all the concerns on food distribution which contributed to the success of the conduct of security arrangements for APEC AELM 2015. (PNP-PIO)