ASEAN-Security: Full PNP alert for ASEAN summit starts tomorrow

November 7, 2017 Contributor 0 Comment ASEAN-Security: Full PNP alert for ASEAN summit starts tomorrow

Photo shows a priest blessing around 50,000 police officers and soldiers during a sendoff ceremony yesterday for those tasked to secure the Asean summit next week. Edd Gumban

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will go on full alert starting Wednesday as part of security preparations for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa yesterday said the highest alert status will take effect from Nov. 8 to 15.

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Dela Rosa said they will focus their attention on Metro Manila,Central Luzon and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) as the venues for ASEAN-related events are located in the three regions.

Full alert status means all police officers are required to be present and ready for deployment, with vacation leaves cancelled.

“We are prepared, we are focused on this event specifically in the areas of engagement,” said Dela Rosa in a press briefing in Camp Crame.

Authorities have not monitored any threats to security related to the ASEAN summit. He assured the public they are always on alert from possible attacks.

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“We have not monitored any present and imminent threat towards the hosting of ASEAN but we are not relaxing,” he said.

Dela Rosa belied rumors circulating that female terrorists are out to carry out bombings in Metro Manila.

“They are all hoaxes and we expect that every time that there is a big event like this,” said Dela Rosa.

“There are a lot of influence peddlers, they are selling information, they would scare the public to maintain their relevance but that is a hoax,” he added.

Aircraft operations

Operations of all types of aircraft and drones in Manila and nearby provinces would be restricted as part of security preparations for the ASEAN summit, Interior and Local Government officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy said yesterday.

Cuy, who also heads the Committee on Security, Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR), said operations would be restricted for all types of aircraft starting Nov. 9.

“We appeal to all our kababayans and the business community who will be affected by the restrictions, please bear with us in the next few days,” Cuy said.

Among the areas covered by a no-fly zone is the Clark Field Special Economic and Freeport Zone in Pampanga on Nov. 9-14 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Nov. 15 from 4. a.m. to 5 p.m.

All general aviation flights within an altitude of 10,000 feet and radius of 40 nautical miles are prohibited, Cuy said.

At the Rizal Park in Manila, aircraft operations are banned on Nov. 12 to 15 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. within an altitude of 10,000 feet and radius of four nautical miles.

All aircraft with high frequency omni-directional range within an altitude of 10,000 feet and a radius of 40 nautical miles are barred on Nov. 12 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Nov. 13 to 14 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Nov. 15 from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sangley Airport in Cavite, Plaridel Airport in Bulacan and Subic International Airport in Olongapo would be closed to civilian aircraft operations on Nov. 9-15 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A no-landing restriction will be implemented on Runway 13 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Nov. 12 to 15 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only departure flights are allowed at the runway.

A no take-off restriction will also be enforced on Runway 31 during the same period, said Cuy.

“We are covering all the bases to ensure the safety and security of our ASEAN delegates, including their mobility and transfer from one place to another,” he said.

Drones are also barred in Clark, Pampanga and Rizal Park in Manila from Nov. 9 to 17 within 40 nautical miles.

The government would deploy 59,276 security personnel to guard the 31st ASEAN Summit on Nov. 13 and 14.

A document obtained by The STAR showed that aside from the police and military contingent deployed, the government would also be fielding 203 patrols cars, 394 motorcycles, 22 armored cars, 30 helicopters, 59 fire trucks, 94 ambulances and 82 sniper teams to help secure the foreign heads of state.

All arrivals and departures of the heads of state will be at the Clark International Airport in Pampanga, and the 59,276 police and military contingent would secure the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, the ASEAN special lanes along ceremonial route and the strategic area command posts for emergency purposes.

Government security officials are also considering bringing the heads of state into Metro Manila by helicopter.

Those billeted at the Makati area would be airlifted to Villamor Air Base, while those billeted at the Manila Bay area would land at the PICC.

Meanwhile, the spouses of the heads of state would travel on board BMW cars, escorted by two motorcycle escorts, a police car and backup security on board a Nissan XTrail.

The ministers’ convoy would be using BMWs with motorcycle escorts, patrol cars and the backup security on board a Volkswagen Jetta.

For senior officials, they would travel on board a Volkswagen Passat and a Toyota Innova.

In an advisory, the government declared as a no-sail zone the vicinity of waters off H2O hotel, Manila to Okada hotel and the New Seaside Drive in Parañaque City from Nov. 5 to Nov. 16. – With Non Alquitran, Jose Rodel Clapano, Ding Cervantes

Courtesy: By Emmanuel Tupas | The Philippine Star | Updated November 7, 2017 – 12:00am