PH Navy deploys ships, Marines, air assets for ASEAN Summit security

MANILA — The Philippine Navy will deploy most of its vessels under the Naval Defense Command (NDC), along with Marines, naval special forces and air assets, to help secure the upcoming ASEAN Summit.

Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez said the vessels would provide maritime security and safeguard Manila Bay, its maritime approaches and other strategically significant maritime areas during the regional event.

Among the naval assets to be deployed are the newly acquired offshore patrol vessels BRP Rajah Sulayman and BRP Rajah Lakandula, which were at the Navy Headquarters in Manila during Friday’s change of command ceremony.

Martinez said the security preparations would involve not only naval vessels but also the Philippine Marine Corps, Naval Special Operations Group and Naval Air Warfare Force.

These forces will help secure President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and visiting foreign delegates, while ensuring the protection of key maritime areas surrounding the capital.

“Besides the conduct of our critical mandate, which is the security and protection of our maritime domain, as well as securing our littorals, all our naval assets, particularly those deployed here in the National Capital Region, will be deployed… They would make sure of the success of the activity,” Martinez told reporters in an interview.

“We will also be employing our Marines and our SEALs or our Naval Special Operations Group, to include also our Naval Air Warfare Force,” she added.

Despite the additional security requirements, Martinez assured the public that the Navy’s regular operations across the country, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, would continue.

“Continuous po ang ating operations across the country from north to south, from west to east. So, huwag mabahala ang ating Filipino people,” she said.

Martinez also noted that security operations would continue even after the ASEAN Summit concludes, particularly while foreign delegates remain in the country.

“As long as several of the delegates are still here, we should ensure that everyone is secured. So, hindi natatapos [ang security arrangements] kung tapos na po ‘yung activity. It will still extend either a week or so after the activity,” she said.