23k cops to be deployed for 31st ASEAN Summit —NCRPO chief

At least 23,000 uniformed personnel will be deployed as part of security preparations for the upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in November, National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde said Thursday.

In an interview on GMA News' "Unang Balita", Albayalde said that they have been preoccupied with the preparations for the ASEAN Summit which is set to be held from November 10 to 14 in Clark, Pampanga.

"Malaki po yung pinaghahandaan natin, unang una itong pagdating nitong ASEAN Summit, malaki [ang] pinaghahandaan natin dito... Meron tayong mga augmentation [na] manggagaling sa mga iba't ibang rehiyon gaya ng Regions 3, 4, 5 at tsaka ng national headquarters," Albayalde said.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Danilo Lim had announced that Metro Manila mayors "unanimously move for the suspension of classes" on November 16 to 17 for the ASEAN.

The MMDA said that it has already recommended the government to declare November 13, 14, and 15 non-working holidays to ease the traffic situation in Metro Manila.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that US President Donald Trump will join other leaders who will attend the ASEAN Summit, his visit will be part of a 12-day trip from November 3 to 14 that will also take him to Japan, South Korea, and China. —Mally Rome C. Bondoc/LBG, GMA News