PNP vows security of Indonesian President Widodo amid Traslacion

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday expressed readiness to provide security for the official visit of Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo to the Philippines from Jan. 9 to 11, even if the first day coincides with the Traslacion mass procession.

In a public briefing on Friday, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the Presidential Security Group (PSG) will lead security efforts for Widodo's visit.

"Meron na po tayong security template kapag may mga dumadating tayo na foreign dignitaries. So may naka-dedicate tayo diyan, kapag ganitong state visit po ang ating PSG ang lead unit po diyan,” she said.

(We already have a security template for the arrival of foreign dignitaries in the country. The PSG will be the lead unit for that.)

"But ang PNP po ay magpo-provide ng enough personnel to augment po 'yung ating PSG particularly doon sa security sa mga engagement areas," she added.

(But the PNP will be providing enough personnel to augment the PSG particularly for the security of engagement areas.)

Widodo's visit kicks off on the same day of the Traslacion, or the procession of the Black Nazarene image from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church. The PNP earlier said 15,000 policemen will be deployed for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, which includes the procession.

Some two million devotees are expected to participate in the religious activity to be held in the City of Manila.

According to Fajardo, the PNP has enough personnel to cover both events as this is not the first time for the police organization to handle the security of major events at the same time.

Widodo is winding down his final term as the leader of the world's largest Muslim-majority nation.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced Thursday that Marcos and Widodo are expected to stake stock of the progress of Philippine-Indonesia relations. Marcos' state visit to Indonesia was from Sept. 4 to 6 last year.

"The two leaders are also expected to reaffirm their commitment to deepening and expanding Philippines-Indonesia ties, especially as the two countries will celebrate their 75th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations in November 2024," the PCO said.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi will also meet on Jan. 9 for the 7th Philippines-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). — VDV, GMA Integrated News