More than 7,300 security and emergency personnel have been deployed across Central Visayas as authorities ramp up preparations to ensure the safety of delegates and the public during the ASEAN Summit 2026 set to take place this week in Cebu.
The large-scale deployment was formally launched during a send-off ceremony at the Mactan Shrine on May 2, led by top security officials and local leaders, including Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. The event marked the full activation of coordinated national security measures for one of the region’s most significant diplomatic gatherings.
Nartatez also conducted an aerial inspection of key areas in Central Visayas to assess operational readiness, validate deployment strategies, and ensure seamless coordination among forces assigned to critical sites, transport routes, and event venues.
Security operations are being carried out under the Task Group Central Visayas, which operates within the Committee on Security, Peace and Order, and Emergency Preparedness and Response. The task force integrates personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, and other partner-agencies.
The deployment covers a wide range of responsibilities, including site security, convoy protection, coastal and airspace monitoring, traffic management, emergency medical services, and rapid response to potential incidents.
“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,” Nartatez said.
He added that force deployment levels have been carefully calibrated to match operational requirements and maintain optimal coverage throughout the summit period.
The summit, scheduled from May 7 to 8 in Lapu-Lapu City, is expected to bring together regional leaders to discuss key issues such as security cooperation, economic integration, and policy development. Delegates are set to begin arriving on May 5, with departures extending until May 12.
Authorities said the security plan is anchored on the PNP’s focused agenda, which emphasizes intelligence-driven operations, inter-agency coordination, and community engagement to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the PNP to lead comprehensive security efforts for the summit, with assurances that measures are in place to protect both international guests and local communities during the high-level event.