Police forces across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon will be placed on the highest security alert status starting Friday, November 13, in preparation for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits next week.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Police Brig. Gen. Allen Rae Co explained that Central Luzon and Calabarzon were included under the full alert because both regions provided personnel to augment the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
”They augmented personnel to the NCRPO. We need to have full alert status to fill up those sent to Metro Manila as augmentation forces,” Co said.
A full alert status requires 100 percent of police personnel to be present for duty and deployment. More than 20,000 police officers have been mobilized to secure the international events, with full deployment anticipated to begin over the weekend. These forces will be supported by personnel from the military, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that security preparations are fully established following final reviews and site inspections. Officials have held a series of meetings to evaluate risks and threats, align operational strategies, and ensure inter-agency coordination.
The security blueprint also addresses traffic management to minimize disruptions for motorists and commuters, as well as potential demonstrations from activist groups planning to protest U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance over issues such as the Pax Silica.
Regarding demonstrations, Co emphasized that law enforcement respects civil liberties but will draw the line if public order is compromised.
”We respect the right of every individual or every group to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful assembly but these rights have limits. Your rights end when other people’s rights begin,” Co said.
”When you infringe on other people’s rights, when you trample on other people’s rights, it ceases or stops to be a peaceful exercise of that right. So we will disperse them when that happens,” he added.
The full alert status is scheduled to remain in effect until November 19, unless an extension is deemed necessary based on security conditions.