More than 23,000 security personnel have been deployed across Metro Manila as the capital prepares to host the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, newsinfo.inquirer.net reported.
Lt. Gen. Neri Vincent Ignacio, PNP chief of directorial staff, stated that security forces were increased to 23,154 to protect participants for the regional meetings. The deployment comprises 20,079 personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office alongside 3,075 members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other agencies, according to newsinfo.inquirer.net.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. noted that authorities have finished two-thirds of planned police activities. Speaking at a ceremonial send-off at the Quirino Grandstand, Nartatez explained that deployed personnel will also assist the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority with traffic management near the main venue at the Philippine International Convention Center.
Delegates from 11 member states and dialogue partners including China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Canada will gather in Metro Manila from November 15 to 17, newsinfo.inquirer.net reported. Philstar.com added that US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have been invited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as guests of the chair for the November 15 session.
To accommodate visiting dignitaries, the Department of Transportation announced that more than 300 domestic flights operated by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia will be rescheduled or canceled between November 13 and 19, globalnation.inquirer.net reported. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon stated that affected passengers may rebook without penalties, receive full refunds, or convert tickets into travel funds.
On the ground, the Pasay City government implemented total road closures from November 9 to 20, following partial closures that began on October 24, the Philippine Information Agency reported. Activities such as fun runs and public gatherings are prohibited near the Philippine International Convention Center, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Roxas Boulevard. Authorities have also converted designated bus lanes into ASEAN Lanes to prioritize official delegation vehicles.
