Specialized military units secure ASEAN delegates

FILE: This is aside from augmenting regular units deployed to secure these persons, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Sunday. (Photo: PTV/Joy Gumatay/Facebook)

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced that specialized land, air and sea units are deployed to secure all delegates of the ongoing ASEAN Summit 2017.

This is aside from augmenting regular units deployed to secure these persons, AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said Sunday.

“The AFP through the Joint Task Force National Capital Region has deployed the best among its forces to work with the Philippine National Police and other government agencies concerned in ensuring the safe and secured conduct of the ASEAN Meetings in the Philippines,” he added.

Five joint task groups were deployed to perform security and emergency response operations to support the concerned government agencies from November 10 to 14.

Arevalo said this deployment is part of the Task Force’s Oplan ASEAN Leaders’ Summit (ALS).

Under Oplan ALS, Joint Task Force NCR provides augmentation forces to the National Capital Region Police Office and Presidential Security Group.

It also provided emergency response units such as search, rescue, and retrieval units and ambu-medic units to provide rescue and health support to delegates and all deployed forces.

“The AFP has long been planning and preparing for contingency measures to address any worse case scenarios during the ASEAN Meetings. This is in line with our task of providing security coverage for the venues as well as the safety of the people and all our visitors,” he added.