Gov’t to deploy close to 60K troops for ASEAN Summit

“We are therefore mobilizing thousands of troops and resources and even get augmentations from nearby regions just to make sure that there will be no untoward incident during the summit,” he added. (Photo: ASEAN 2017/Facebook)

MANILA— Some 59,276 security forces are set to be deployed for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this month.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer-in-Charge Catalino Cuy said the troops would be deployed to key strategic areas in Metro Manila and Pampanga to ensure the safety and security of the ASEAN delegates.

“All eyes will be on the Philippines as we host this year’s ASEAN Summit. This is an opportunity for us to shine and to show the world that we are not only a gracious host but we can also effectively handle an international event of this magnitude,” Cuy said in a statement Thursday.

“We are therefore mobilizing thousands of troops and resources and even get augmentations from nearby regions just to make sure that there will be no untoward incident during the summit,” he added.

Cuy said the largest contingent would come from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Motorists are also advised of the traffic re-routing scheme and closure of roads around the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand on November 5 when a send-off ceremony for the troops will be held.

Independence Road from Katigbak Drive to South Drive will be closed to traffic as early as 6 a.m. and will be reopened once the send-off ceremony is finished. The right and left portions of Quirino Grandstand, including Bonifacio Drive, P. Burgos and T. M. Kalaw will be re-routed while the ceremony is ongoing.