Joint TF Haribon to help secure ASEAN Summit 2017 launch in Davao City Sunday

Joint Task Force Haribon commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay (Pictured) said Tuesday his unit will focus on disaster response, terrorism and internal security operation. (Photo: Eastern Mindanao Command, AFP/ Facebook)

MANILA –The anti-terror component of the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC), the Joint Task Force Haribon will help secure the launching of the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit 2017 in Davao City on Sunday (January 15).

Joint Task Force Haribon commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert I. Gapay said Tuesday his unit will focus on disaster response, terrorism and internal security operation.

Initially, about 600 personnel from the Air Force, Navy and Army were committed to the more or less 1,000 personnel already deployed to support the security of different activities relative to the launching.

“Our plan is in support to the PNP Plan and we consider different possible scenarios and we are closely coordinating with different concerned agencies particularly the PNP,” he said.

Gapay also bared that sea, air and land capabilities and assets will be on standby alert for the ASEAN activities security requirement.

As part of the preparation, table top exercises were initiated by the Joint Task Force Haribon to ensure that all areas will be covered.

Last January 6, a joint exercise was held in Davao Gulf to fine tune naval security measures and enhance inter-operability among committed units.

Furthermore, Joint Task Force Haribon conducted a security forum in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal last January 9 to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders in securing the island, which is one of the potential areas to be visited by ASEAN delegates.