NCRPO seeks God’s help for success of 31st ASEAN Summit

He also reiterated his orders to observe protocols and “Tamang Bihis”, no texting while on duty, and no loitering. (Photo: Oscar Albayalde/Facebook)

MANILA—National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde on Thursday sought for Divine intervention for the success of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit 2017 and Related Meetings in Manila on November 13-15.

“In almost a year of security preparations for the 31st ASEAN Summit, I believe we have prepared everything, however one thing that we must not forget to include in our preparedness and readiness is prayer and Divine intervention,” Albayalde said during the Prayer for a Peaceful ASEAN and Commander’s Time held at Camp Bagong Diwa, Bicutan, Taguig City.

Albayalde stressed the significance of the power of prayer and God’s grace in order to achieve success in every endeavor. He also emphasized in his guidance to all deployed policemen for the ASEAN Summit the importance of teamwork, cooperation, sacrifice, alertness, vigilance and initiative, and maximum tolerance.

Around 33,000 policemen, including the augmentation force from different police regional offices in the country, will be deployed to provide and maintain security and safety of the delegates, routes, venue, and billet during the summit.

Albayalde, also the commander of Task Group NCRPO, vowed for zero incident on ASEAN Summit. He ordered all police personnel to be alert and vigilant 24/7, observe and maintain proper coordination, and immediate reporting to their commanders.

He also reiterated his orders to observe protocols and “Tamang Bihis”, no texting while on duty, and no loitering.

“This undertaking is not just for the police, this is for our nation. This is our chance to show to the world that we are capable to secure the 22 world leaders and their colleagues. Let us do our share,” the NCRPO chief said.

Albayalde also encourages the public to support and cooperate on this undertaking and he encourages everyone to report immediately any suspicious object, activity, or person so that appropriate actions may be taken immediately by the police.

Last Sunday, Department of Interior and Local Government Officer-in-Charge and Chairperson of ASEAN 2017 Committee on Security, Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response Catalino S. Cuy led the send-off ceremony together with Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., Director General for Operations, ASEAN NOC; Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, chairperson, ASEAN NOC; Director Napoleon Taas, Commander ASEAN Security Task Force; AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero; and PNP chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.

Cuy said a total of 60,000 forces and resources from 21 government agencies have been deployed.

Aside from the large deployment of troops, he revealed that huge resources will be ready to monitor, respond and provide support during the summit.

These resources include the following: 203 patrol cars, 394 motorcycles, 22 armored cars, 30 helicopters, 59 fire trucks, 94 ambulances, 125 explosive detection dogs (EDDs)/K9, and 82 sniper teams.

He also added that several Joint Task Groups, Task Groups, and Sub-Task Units have also been organized and are on deck with their personnel and logistics to ensure that the summit would run as smoothly and peacefully as possible.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said that the 19,000-strong police force is all set and ready for ASEAN 2017.

This year’s ASEAN Summit will be attended by heads of state of the 10 ASEAN-member nations, dialogue partners, observer states, and other invited delegates from the Asia-Pacific region.