Security prep in full swing for ASEAN meeting in Clark

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 11): Security prep in full swing for ASEAN meeting in Clark

Security preparations are now in full swing for the forthcoming ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting and ADMM-Plus set to be held on October 23-24 in Clark, Pampanga.

PNP Central Luzon Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus said they would make sure that security measures are in place to achieve zero ASEAN-related crimes during the duration of the meeting, which is expected to draw about 300 delegates.

Corpus said more than 5,000 policemen, soldiers and other security forces would be deployed to the meeting venue and other places in Clark and neighboring areas.

“This is to ensure that the ASEAN meeting in Clark will be safe and not to be interrupted by some groups who might stage protest rallies,” he said.

Corpus said command posts would be set up in major areas to be manned by medical teams as well as quick response groups and civil disturbance management units that are prepared and ready to respond when the need arises.

He said there would also be a security outpost in every two kilometers along the major streets in Clark and Angeles City.

“We will be implementing tight security in the venue. We will also have security personnel to be deployed covering the delegates’ route from the airport to their hotels,” he added.

As part of the heightened security preparations for the upcoming summit, a dry run was conducted by the ASEAN Task Force security group from Clark Airport in Pampanga up to Balintawak in Quezon City last Sunday.

The southbound lanes of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and EDSA were closed to the public as part of the dry run.

Corpus said that a modified stop-and-go traffic scheme would be implemented along the routes of the convoy, which would mean that delegates of ASEAN and the convoy would be prioritized in passing through the said routes.

“We have to undertake the necessary preparations to ensure the safety and security of the ASEAN delegates,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1012458