6,000 cops to be deployed for World Economic Forum

MANILA, Philippines - About 6,000 police officers will be deployed in Manila for the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be hosted by the Philippines on May 21 to 23 at the Makati Central Business District.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima designated Deputy Chief for Operations, Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina to head the PNP National Task Force "WEF."

Director Ricardo Marquez, PNP director for operations will assist Espina as deputy task force commander, along with deputy directors of concerned national headquarters directorial staff offices.

The Task Force WEF will begin its operational phase on Saturday, May 17, with the activation and full implementation of all plans, monitoring and continuous evaluation of the performance of security forces through daily debriefing and review. It will also exercise operational supervision and control of Task Group “Manila” and Task Group “Tourism."

TG Manila will be supported by several sub task groups composed of contingents from the National Capital Region Police Office, Police Security and Protection Group, Special Action Force, Intelligence Group, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Aviation Security Group, Highway Patrol Group, Health Service and Communication and Electronics Service.

Task Group Tourism, meanwhile, will be supported by Police Regional Office 3 and 4A in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog where some delegates are expected to visit.

PNP units not directly concerned with WEF security operations are likewise advised to take precautionary measures against possible hostile actions and domestic threat groups.

"We are putting our best foot forward in this international event as the country welcomes the prospect of sharing the strides we have made in restoring integrity in our institutions and building a society that isdynamic, inclusive, and equitably progressive,” Espina said.

WEF coincides with the Young Leaders’ Meeting on May 19 to 20, and the 10th ASEAN Finance Ministers Investors Seminar on May 21 at the Shangri-la Hotel and Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

Some 1,000 delegates from 40 countries, including heads of economies are expected to attend.