The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has initiated full security preparations for the upcoming ASEAN Leaders' Summit, deploying over 500 personnel to secure the arrival of foreign delegates and visitors.
Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta Jr., director of MCPO, stated that although no official venue in Mandaue has been confirmed for the summit, the city police are on standby with their security plans already in place.
"As of now, we have not yet received a schedule from headquarters regarding the activities in Mandaue City for the ASEAN Leaders' Summit, but we are ready, especially for the ceremonial routes," Acosta said.
He added that police officials recently held planning conferences to assess preparations and ensure security measures are in effect before the international event begins.
Acosta expects that delegates, staff, and even families of official entourages will visit areas in Mandaue. As a result, authorities will tighten security not only on major roads but also in hotels where visitors may stay.
To ensure safety, MCPO plans to deploy over 500 police officers for road and hotel security. Additionally, another 500 personnel have been sent to assist Lapu-Lapu City, where major summit activities are expected to take place.
According to Acosta, the security deployment may begin one to two weeks before the summit, depending on the schedule set by the organizing committee.
Although no official venue in Mandaue City has been announced, officials said they are ensuring the city is ready to support the extensive security required for the summit.
The ASEAN Leaders' Summit is expected to gather delegates from across Southeast Asia, necessitating tighter security in major cities in Cebu.
