The Philippine National Police has ordered heightened intelligence monitoring and the completion of final security preparations in Metro Manila ahead of the ASEAN Summit, which brings more than 20 world leaders to the Philippine capital from 15 November.

Police chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr directed the National Capital Region Police Office and other concerned units to finish all remaining operational preparations and validate their deployment plans, according to a PTV news update published on Monday, 9 November. He also ordered intelligence monitoring to be stepped up across Metro Manila and nearby areas so potential threats can be identified and dealt with before the summit opens.

Strict perimeters around summit venues

The National Capital Region Police Office, led by Brigadier General Christopher Abrahano, has already ordered strict security perimeters and access controls around official venues. Only authorised people and vehicles, including those of international delegations, will be allowed into exclusion zones, and police have been told to verify identity documents, credentials and vehicle passes at every access point.

Officers have also been instructed to check reports of suspicious people, unattended items or unauthorised personnel near summit locations at once, and to keep public areas next to restricted zones under watch so that residents, commuters and businesses are not left exposed. Security deployments will extend beyond Metro Manila to Pampanga and Zambales, where some delegates are expected to arrive, the Philippine News Agency reported.

The 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held in Metro Manila, with major activities at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. The summit opens on 15 November, and related meetings run through 18 November, according to the police and the state news agency.

Leaders confirmed for Manila

Among the leaders expected in Manila are US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chair, is also expecting a landmark digital economy pact to be signed during the summit.

The Philippine Air Force has said it is ready to help secure the summit events, and the police have stressed that contingency plans are in place for disruptions or other unforeseen incidents. Police commanders have been told to keep their plans under constant review and to adjust deployments as new requirements emerge.

The security operation is one of the largest the Philippines has mounted for a diplomatic gathering. The summit comes as the region deals with tensions in the South China Sea and the wider effects of the war in the Middle East, and Manila is keen to show it can host the gathering safely while keeping the city moving.

Police have appealed to the public to cooperate with checkpoints and road closures around summit venues, and said further traffic and security advisories will be issued as the opening day approaches.