Massive Vehicle Fleet Arrives in Lapu-Lapu for ASEAN Summit Security Operations
A substantial convoy of security vehicles has been mobilized to Lapu-Lapu City in preparation for the high-profile 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit, scheduled for May 8–9, 2026. According to official statements, this deployment includes more than a hundred motorcycles and nearly 40 vehicles sourced from various offices of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit across Luzon.
Strategic Deployment and Logistics
Police Lieutenant Colonel Wildemar Tiu, chief of Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 7, confirmed that these mobility assets arrived at Naval Forces Central on April 10, 2026, transported via a Philippine Navy vessel from Dagupan. Each vehicle is accompanied by its own driver, and the entire fleet is currently stationed within Lapu-Lapu City to ensure rapid deployment during the summit.
The primary objective of this extensive mobilization is to provide secure escorts for dignitaries, including transporting heads of state to and from summit venues and other official destinations. Tiu emphasized that this initial batch will be supplemented by additional patrol cars from various regions, expected to arrive from HPG headquarters in the coming days.
Escort Details and Security Preparations
Based on data provided by Tiu, the HPG will be responsible for escorting a total of 44 heads of state, one spouse, and 43 ministers throughout the event. To facilitate this, several roads in the area will be placed under strict security measures, which may impact local traffic flow.
In light of these measures, police have issued a public appeal for understanding and patience. "We would like to appeal also to the general public to consider especially traffic flow. We have already canceled fun runs and concerts, especially within the Lapu-Lapu area, to give way and support the ASEAN Summit," Tiu stated.
Training and Coordination Efforts
Escort personnel are currently engaged in dry runs to familiarize themselves with the operational environment. Notably, not all drivers are from Central Visayas, necessitating intensive training on Metro Cebu roads, particularly routes leading to key venues where foreign dignitaries will be transported.
Tiu expressed confidence in the readiness of HPG personnel, noting that Police Brigadier General Rommel Batangan, director of the HPG, will arrive on April 16, 2026, to personally inspect preparations. "Ready na ang atong Highway Patrol Group and in fact, the director of HPG Police Brigadier General Rommel Batangan will arrive tomorrow to personally conduct inspection the readiness of our personnel from the Highway Patrol Group," he said.
Preparations are being closely coordinated with Police Regional Office 7 and its counterparts in the Visayas Command to ensure seamless security operations. Authorities have reported that no security threats related to the ASEAN Leaders’ Summit have been monitored at this time.
