Securing the heads of states

As leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their dialogue partners converge in the country, the Philippine government's security forces are all set to secure the delegates for the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

A 60,000-strong security personnel from 21 government agencies that include the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will be deployed in Manila and in Clark, Pampanga from November 10 to 14.

"We are all set to provide security to all leaders and delegates for the 31st ASEAN Summit," National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde said.

According to the ASEAN 2017 Committee on Security, Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR), 203 patrol cars, 394 motorcycles, 22 armored cars, 30 helicopters, 59 fire trucks, 94 ambulances, 125 explosive detection dogs, and 82 sniper teams will support the main security contingent.

Some 21 heads of states and governments from the 10-member regional bloc and their dialogue partners — including US President Donald Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Premiere Li Keqiang, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — will be attending the ASEAN Summit.

Close coordination with intelligence agencies has strengthened the government's readiness to counter threats of terrorism, Albayalde noted.

Members of the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, conduct a maritime patrol along Manila Bay as part of the security preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Summit on November 13- 17, 2017 at the PICC in Pasay City. Danny Pata

The Australian government recently issued a travel advisory to its citizens, warning of a “high threat" of terrorist attack in the Philippines.

The travel warning was in close proximity to the upcoming ASEAN Summit, but Malacañang noted it was not borne out of any specific security threat.

Despite having received no specific threats for the upcoming high-level summit, PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said the police could not be caught off-guard for possible attacks to be carried by "lone wolfs" because they are difficult to monitor.

Apart from counterterrorism efforts, PNP spokesperson Major Gen. Restituto Padilla said that security preparations for the ASEAN Summit also extend to monitoring and addressing threats from the New People’s Army (NPA) as well as petty criminals.

The PNP also imposed a gun ban from November 1 to 15 in line with the ASEAN Summit.

For maximum maritime security, on the other hand, a portion of the Manila Bay is declared a "No Sail Zone" from November 5 to 16. — VDS/MDM, GMA News