‘Ready for ASEAN’

CEBU, Philippines — With over 5,000 law enforcers now in place, safety and security measures are all set for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2026 in Cebu City.

Barely a week after the celebration of the Sinulog Festival, security personnel are now gearing up to enforce safety measures, this time for an international event that Cebu City will be hosting.

During the ceremonial send-off held yesterday, January 24, at the South Road Properties in Cebu City, thousands joined the Site Task Group Central Visayas in preparation for the said major event.

Joining the security forces are 3,486 uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP); 147 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines; 101 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard; and 397 firefighters from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

There were also 150 soldiers from the Philippine Army; 71 members of the Tactical Operations Wing Central; 22 naval personnel from the Philippine Navy; 60 personnel and staff from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology; and three members of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

Also included are 450 responders from the Office of Civil Defense and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council; 133 traffic management personnel; 100 medical staff and health workers from the Department of Health; and 47 response personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices of various local government units.

In addition, several mobility assets and logistical resources will also be utilized, including 51 patrol vehicles, 50 motorcycles, two PNP airbus units, and a fully equipped communication van to provide command and control support as well as rapid response capability during the international event.

The thousands of security personnel, together with partner agencies and stakeholders, were then blessed by a priest, who also offered prayers reflecting the need for spiritual guidance throughout their duties in the field.

In his speech, PRO-7 Regional Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, who is also the commander of the Site Task Group Central Visayas, acknowledged the commitment of the deployed personnel, noting that they were the same officers assigned throughout the entire duration of the successful Fiesta Señor and Sinulog activities earlier this year.

Maranan also highlighted that the ASEAN meetings held in the Province of Bohol over the past six days concluded with zero major untoward incidents recorded.

Gearing up for the anticipated week-long ASEAN events and related activities to be held in the Province of Cebu and the tri-cities—Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City—from today, January 25, to January 31, Maranan also assured overall preparedness and security.

He instructed police officers to maintain discipline in their work, urging them to protect the country’s reputation.

“All deployed PNP personnel are directed to strictly follow operational plans and established protocols, maintain constant situational awareness, and exercise discipline in communication and reporting,” Maranan told reporters in an interview.

“View this assignment as both a privilege and an honor-one that places you at the forefront in safeguarding our country's reputation before the international community,” he added.

Maranan also assured that the police are ready for their tasks, considering the possible overlapping of ASEAN-related activities that will take place simultaneously in Bohol and Cebu.

He also disclosed that their focus includes the continuous implementation of the gun ban until January 31 and enhanced police visibility in Metro Cebu and other towns in the province where tourism activities will be held.

When asked about road closures, Maranan insisted that there will be no major road closures as planned. Instead, only a “stop-and-go scheme” will be implemented on roads where delegates and their convoys will pass.

“Huwag po mag-alala ang ating mga kababayan kasi yung "stop-and-go scheme" hindi naman po tatagal ng napakatagal ‘yon—more or less baka mga one minute,” he said, assuring that there will be no inconvenience to motorists.

The regional director also shared that he hopes the ASEAN Summit 2026 will be successful and peaceful, with no major crimes in the region.

“Yun ang ating objective na dapat zero major untoward incidents tayo for the entire duration of our ASEAN this year,” he said.

MCPO: routes are secured

Meanwhile, although Mandaue City is not among the official engagement areas of the international event, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is preparing to secure major road routes that will be used by delegates attending the ASEAN Summit.

MCPO chief Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta Jr. said in an interview that at least 60 MCPO personnel will be deployed for road security operations from January 26 to January 30.

The deployment will be supplemented by around 30 personnel from other agencies to ensure the safe and orderly passage of ASEAN delegates traveling from Lapu-Lapu City to Cebu City.

The MCPO chief said that, based on coordination with higher headquarters, no specific engagement areas have been designated within Mandaue City for the summit.

Despite this, Acosta said the MCPO, together with partner agencies, is proactively securing routes where delegates are expected to pass, particularly those coming from Mactan-Cebu International Airport en route to Cebu City.

The MCPO will be assisted by personnel from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

Security personnel will be deployed round-the-clock, with activities expected both in the morning and evening.

Authorities are also anticipating that some ASEAN delegates or event staff may check in at hotels in Mandaue City.

As a precaution, the MCPO has already coordinated with major hotels in the city and prepared security plans to ensure their safety should any delegates or staff stay in the area.

Acosta said road security remains the primary focus of MCPO operations, covering all possible routes, including access points from the first and second bridges connecting to Cebu City. — (FREEMAN)