POLICE Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, leads the send-off ceremony for security personnel tasked to secure the ASEAN Summit 2026. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – The deployment of more than 5,000 security personnel for the ASEAN Summit 2026 started on Saturday, Jan. 24.
Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), led the send-off ceremony for security personnel at the South Road Properties in this city.
Security personnel were composed of 3,486 from the police, 147 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 101 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 397 from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and 450 from the Office of the Civil Defense and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Personnel from the Department of Health and Naval Forces Central are also involved in ensuring the success of ASEAN Summit activities in the tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.
The PRO-7 is also using its vast logistical resources to secure the events. Maranan presented 51 patrol cars, 50 motorcycles, two police airbus, and communications equipment.
Maranan disclosed that police and AFP personnel tapped for the ASEAN Summit were also deployed to secure the recent Sinulog Grand Parade, which attracted more than five million revelers.
Activities related to ASEAN meetings will start on Sunday, Jan. 25, in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu.
Maranan said security will be tight as ASEAN Summit delegates are expected to visit the region’s top tourist destinations.
He said assessment is ongoing to determine if there is a need to enforce road closures.
Maranan added that based on monitoring, there is no possible threat that may disrupt the holding of the summit, which will end on Jan. 31.
A gun ban will be in effect for the entire duration of the summit, Maranan said.