PRIVILEGE SPEECH of REP. BATAOIL REP. BATAOIL. Thank

PRIVILEGE SPEECH OF REP. BATAOIL REP. BATAOIL. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, fellow Members of the House of Representatives, our distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant day to all of you. The Philippine Republic played host to a series of meetings of the different working groups of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC, which culminated in the high-profile Economic Leaders’ Meeting. The Economic Leaders’ Meeting gathered 21 heads of states and country representatives. The security risk in this event had been very high, especially after a few days only from the Paris terror attacks which claimed hundreds of innocent civilians. Thus, the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies came up with a highly-detailed security plan to ensure the safety of the world leaders and their respective delegations, as well as that of the international media covering the event. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, I would like to express my sincerest commendations and the commendation of the House of Representatives to the 2015 APEC Security Task Force, led by the members of the Philippine National Police and of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for executing thoroughly-planned security procedures that ensured the safety of the foreign dignitaries, the media and the local population. The burden of being at the forefront of a high- profile event is by no means easy. As a police general, together with Generals Acop, Pagdilao and my two colleagues in the Magdalo Party-List, including our adviser, General Biazon, who are now also Members of the Philippine Congress, I understand the complexities of establishing security in big areas, and last week’s security structure and implementation was very hard because global leaders like US President Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping, former Russian President and now Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and other world and regional leaders gathered in one place after the world was threatened by the Paris attacks. Aside from possible terrorist attacks, I understand the other complex arrangements the Philippine National Police had to make. Key roads and routes had to be secured from possible disturbances. The police also had to deal with the protesters. Our men stayed in a warehouse in Manila the whole week just to be in the front lines, 24/7, during the APEC week. Let us also commend Police Dir. Gen. Ricardo C. Marquez, the commander of the 2015 APEC Security Task Force, for a job well done. General Marquez survived his baptism of fire in the national and international level operations. Let us give General Marquez, our policemen and soldiers, and all those who participated in the 2015 APEC, our commendation, our appreciation, our applause from the hall of Congress. Director General Marquez has shown exceptional leadership capabilities, especially for this event, his first high-profile event, that really required patience, perseverance and a great deal of hard work. He had shown how a police officer should hold responsibility of his tasks. He made sure that no one strays from the orders that he laid out. Most of all, he looked after the welfare of his subordinates by providing meals, bathing areas and sleeping quarters, especially for those who came from other regions and were enlisted for the busy APEC Leaders’ Meeting. To PNP Chief Ricardo C. Marquez, may your loyalty to the service and to the Republic never waver; may your deeds inspire other policemen to do their best as law enforcers; and may the Philippine National Police emulate your leadership in the many years to come. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, let us not forget the contributions also of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and that of the Presidential Security Group. Our military forces had also taken the necessary steps to keep our national territory protected from terrorist intrusion. They made use of our air, land and sea assets to ensure that the terrible terrorist attacks in Paris will not be replicated in Manila, especially in the presence of many world leaders. Our Philippine Air Force used their aircraft to patrol the skies of Manila in pursuit of the no-fly zone policy. On land, the Philippine Army had deployed armored vehicles in key routes to block off attempts of entering the immediate venues of the APEC meetings. The Philippine Navy had to deploy their vessels to implement the no-sail zone policy during the APEC. To our noble servicemen in the military under the leadership of the AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hernando Iriberri, a snappy salute to all of you for a job well done. It is indeed commendable that the 2015 APEC Security Task Force made all security preparations possible. It just proves that the key to a successful implementation of a public policy lies in strategic planning, effective collaboration with key stakeholders and the efficient administration of rules. Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, let me also express my commendation to the national government and to the leadership of His Excellency, Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, for using a one-government approach in the facilitation of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Different government agencies and private sector groups have come together to see a successful APEC event. We should note the involvement of the following agencies: Office of the Executive Secretary; Department of Foreign Affairs; Department of Trade and Industry; National Economic and Development Authority; Department of Budget and Management; Department of Finance; Department of Transportation and Communications; Department of Tourism; Department of Public Works and Highways; Department of the Interior and Local Government; Department of National Defense; Office of the Cabinet Secretary; Presidential Communications Operations Office; Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office; Office of the National Security Adviser; Presidential Management Staff; Cultural Center of the Philippines and the APEC 2015–Private Sector Advisory Council. These entities composed the APEC 2015 National Organizing Committee formed three years ago. They exerted a great deal of effort into this event just to make sure that all preparations saw their respective successes. In many years to come, this Representation hopes that the country will see a similar cooperation among government agencies. This Administration has set the tone for the next governments to pursue an agenda of cooperation towards a smooth implementation of public agenda. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Members of this august Chamber, the recent APEC meeting held in Manila showcased our political will, our economic transformation, our people’s discipline, unity and hospitality to the world. We have proven that we can truly become the center of economic development and cooperation in the region. With this kind of success we have recently encountered, with the continuity of the ”tuwid na daan” and the unity of the Filipino people, we can be assured of a mighty Philippine Republic that can lead its people and its neighboring countries towards peace and greatness. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang Republika ng Pilipinas. .

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