Over 23,000 personnel to secure ASEAN Summit 2026

More than 23,000 personnel will be deployed to secure the 49th ASEAN Summit in Metro Manila, according to authorities on Wednesday.

ASEAN 2026 Security Task Force commander Police Lieutenant General Nery Vincent Ignacio said a total of 23,154 personnel will be fielded to secure designated routes, summit venues, billeting hotels, and other concerned areas.

“For the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summit, it is my honor to present a formidable total force of 23,154 personnel to secure all designated routes, summit venues, building hotels and surrounding areas of responsibility,” he said during the send-off ceremony at Quirino Grandstand in Manila.

“Of this number, 20,079 personnel come from the National Capital Region, supported by the 3,075 personnel from our multi-agency support component,” he added.

These include personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), emergency preparedness and response units, and local traffic units from Pasay, Parañaque, Makati, Taguig, and Manila.

The security deployment will be supported by around 4,000 civil disturbance management equipment, 15 trucks and buses, more than 1,000 motorcycles, and over 300 mobile cars. With additional vehicles from Unified 911, the total number of mobile cars will reach more than 500.

He added that the deployment will also include ambulances, canine units, high-speed tactical watercraft, and 157 additional support and response vehicles from partner agencies.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the government had acquired 550 new vehicles, 600 motorcycles, and 150 ambulances for the ASEAN security operations.

He added that 1,500 new fire trucks from South Korea are expected to arrive.

Remulla urged deployed personnel to follow their orders, remain at their assigned posts, and be prepared for any eventuality.

"Do your utmost. In the next few hours, in the next 72 hours, do your utmost.Follow your orders, obey your commands, be at your post, and be ready for any eventuality," Remulla said.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said authorities had been preparing for the ASEAN activities for almost a year.

He said the government has accounted for 639 activities, with 159 remaining as of Wednesday. The main events are scheduled for the third week of November.

According to him, the ASEAN Summit is expected to be attended by 23 leaders along with thousands of their staff members and observers.

“Ngayon pa lang, nagko-congratulate na ako sa ating mga security forces who have drafted and played an important role in making this activity peaceful and will make this activity peaceful,” he said.

The summit proper will begin on Sunday, November 15. —VAL, GMA News