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The Philippine capital Manilla was in a state of lockdown Monday, as authorities deepened a security crackdown ahead of the looming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Heads of state will meet Nov. 18-19.
“In general, we have intensified intelligence operations and beefed up security,” national police spokesperson Wilben Mayor said, according to Reuters.
Since Sunday there has been a massive police presence in the archipelago nation's capital, ahead of Wednesday’s summit.
Roads have been closed, and a large scale litter pick up campaign has begun.
While authorities say tight security is necessary in the wake of attacks in France over the weekend, human rights groups have warned ordinary Manilla residents could be hard hit.
Hundreds of homeless and poor people have already been rounded up by authorities as part of a city-wide beautification scheme, according to Human Rights Watch.
The U.S.-based organization claimed many of the detainees are children.
Authorities in the Philippines have denied the allegations.
The summit itself is set to be dominated by tense talks over regional disputes such as the South China Sea. Parts of the resource-rich sea are claimed by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.
Outside the summit, thousands of protesters are expected to descend on Manilla, with activists set to air complaints ranging from the South China Sea dispute to U.S. involvement in the Asia-Pacific region.
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