PCG mulls tighter Boracay security for APEC meet

 The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is likely to send a ship to augment security forces when this island hosts one of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit meetings this April.
Lieutenant Jimmy Oliver Vingno, Caticlan-PCG chief, said the agency will also send augmentation from Manila to increase the number of its personnel here in time for the APEC.
APEC is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies. It seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation.
Aside from the PCG, other government law enforcement agencies such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police are also expected to send augmentation personnel.
APEC VIPs coming are expected to bring their respective families here for vacation.
Earlier reports indicated that the United States of America will be sending trained dogs to help in the security preparations.
APEC’s 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, China; Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, United States of America and Vietnam.
APEC was established in 1989 in response to the growing interdependence of Asia-Pacific economies and the advent of regional trade blocs in other parts of the world; to fears that highly industrialized Japan (a member of G8) would come to dominate economic activity in the Asia-Pacific region; and to establish new markets for agricultural products and raw materials beyond Europe (where demand had been declining)./