Security force of 60,000 personnel deployed for 31st Asean Summit

Members of a SWAT team begin its security watch on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, for the 31st Asean Summit and Related Meetings . (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A multi-agency security force composed of 60,000 personnel was mobilized on Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila in preparation for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit 2017 and Related Meetings, which runs from Nov. 13 to 17.

Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, officer in charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led the send off ceremony, in his capacity as chairperson of the Asean 2017 Committee on Security, Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR).

With him were the following officials:

• Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., director general for operations of the Asean National Organizing Committee (NOC)
• Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, chairperson, Asean NOC
• Director Napoleon Taas, commander of Asean Security Task Force
• Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Director General Ronald dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police

In a statement, Cuy said a total of 60,000 personnel from 21 government agencies had been deployed.

Aside from the large deployment of troops, he said huge resources would be available to monitor, respond, and provide support during the summit.

These resources, Cuy said, include the following:

• 203 patrol cars
• 394 motorcycles
• 22 armored cars
• 30 helicopters
• 59 fire trucks
• 94 ambulances
• 125 explosive detection dogs (EDDs)/K9
• 82 sniper teams

He also added that several Joint Task Groups (JTGs), Task Groups (TGs), and Sub-Task Units (STUs) had also been organized and were on deck with their personnel and logistics to ensure that the summit wiuld run as smoothly and peacefully as possible.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said that the 19,000-strong police force was all set and ready for the largest gathering of foreign leaders in the Philippines.

This year’s Asean Summit will be attended by heads of state of the 10 Asean-member nations, dialogue partners, observer states, and other invited delegates from the Asia-Pacific region. /atm