Atin Ito | Ontario’s First Filipino Community Newspaper – Trusted News and Stories for the Filipino-Canadian Community Atin Ito is Ontario’s first Filipino community newspaper, delivering trusted news, stories, and updates for Filipino-Canadians. Stay connected with your community.
PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. meets with police personnel in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on May 2, 2026 to discuss security preparations for the upcoming ASEAN summits. (Courtesy: Philippine National Police)
A large-scale security deployment was formally launched at the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City over the weekend with more than 7,300 personnel from various government security and emergency response agencies mobilized in preparation for the Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summit 2026 in Cebu.
The send-off ceremony was held on Saturday, May 2, 2026, led by local officials and top security leaders with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. This marked the full activation of coordinated national security measures for one of the region’s most significant diplomatic events.
Nartatez also conducted an aerial inspection over key areas in Central Visayas to assess operational readiness, validate deployment plans, and ensure seamless coordination of security forces across critical sites, transport routes, and event venues.
The Task Group Central Visayas under the Committee on Security, Peace and Order, and Emergency Preparedness and Response was formally activated, integrating forces from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Health (DOH), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and other partner agencies.
The deployment covers site security, convoy protection, coastal and airspace monitoring, traffic management, emergency medical response, and rapid incident handling.
Nartatez emphasized that preparations for the summit have been comprehensive, deliberate, and continuously refined.
“This operation is the result of extensive planning and sustained coordination, drawing from established best practices in previous national and international events. We are fully prepared to ensure a safe and secure ASEAN Summit,” he said.
The PNP chief also underscored that deployment levels are calibrated based on operational requirements to maintain optimal security coverage at all times.
The ASEAN Summit 2026 will be held on May 7 to 8 in Lapu-Lapu City, with foreign delegates arriving as early as May 5 and expected to depart until May 12.
The event is expected to gather world leaders to discuss key regional issues including security cooperation, economic integration, and policy development. — Vince Lopez
Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
