ILOILO City – Western Visayas has been placed on full red alert status, with more than 1,900 police officers deployed and a 10-day suspension of gun-carry permits enforced, as authorities intensify security and emergency preparedness measures for the 49th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI) set February 25–27 in this city.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) activated its red alert status to ensure “continuous monitoring and preparedness for any eventualities” throughout the high-level international gathering.
The 49th Meeting of the HLTF-EI is a major international gathering of senior economic officials and ministers from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region. It serves as a platform for critical discussions on regional economic collaboration and integration.
Senior officials meet to deliberate on policies that advance the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) goals, focusing on regional integration and trade facilitation.
This is the first of three ASEAN-related meetings scheduled for Iloilo City this 2026, with others following in April and May.
TIGHT SECURITY
Under the red alert, all concerned agencies, responders, and local DRRMCs were ordered to closely monitor their respective areas and submit timely situational reports to the regional operations center for consolidation.
Security forces moved early. A send-off ceremony was held February 20 for over 1,900 police personnel deployed across Iloilo City to secure delegates and key venues.
In a sweeping preventive measure, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also suspended the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) within Iloilo City from 12:01 a.m. of February 20 until 11:59 p.m. of March 1, 2026.
According to the Police Regional Office (PRO-6), the 10-day suspension is aimed at ensuring public safety and maintaining peace and order during the significant regional event.
Only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties and wearing prescribed uniforms are authorized to carry firearms during the period.
“We seek the public’s understanding and cooperation as we work together to make ASEAN 2026 safe and secure,” PRO-6 said in a statement.
The police urged the public to immediately report emergencies, suspicious activities, or imminent threats to the nearest police station or dial 911.
INSPECTIONS
Parallel to heightened security, the Site Task Group Emergency Preparedness and Response – Regional Incident Management Team (STGEPR-RIMT) conducted inspections of staging areas and event venues to ensure readiness.
Led by Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional director Raul Fernandez and STGEPR-RIMT Incident Commander Atty. Melissa Banias, the team conducted walkthrough inspections on February 22 covering the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo and hotels serving as meeting venues and billeting areas.
The group also convened prior to the inspections to finalize preparations, including discussions on possible weather conditions, security measures, and emergency response contingencies.
The STGEPR-RIMT is tasked to provide on-site coordination and emergency preparedness support to ensure safety, security, and continuity of operations during the ASEAN meetings.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office 6 likewise placed its operations center under red alert following Memorandum No. 15, series of 2026, of RDRRMC.
Under a memorandum signed by DSWD regional director Joselito Estember, Quick Response Team (QRT) members from Iloilo Province identified for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) augmentation were directed to coordinate closely with the Regional Emergency Operations Center and remain on standby.
All incident-related data, including initial and Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC) reports, must be forwarded to the Disaster Response Information Management Section (DRIMS) to ensure timely reporting and coordinated response, the memorandum stated.
Authorities said the activation of red alert status underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a secure and incident-free hosting of the high-level ASEAN economic meeting in Iloilo City./PN
