Police on highest alert in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and more from the 13th to the 19th — number coding lifted on the 16th–18th

Police on highest alert in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and more from the 13th to the 19th — number coding lifted on the 16th–18th

📌 Ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will place police in Metro Manila (NCR), Central Luzon (including Pampanga) and Calabarzon on full alert starting Friday, November 13. The alert is expected to be lifted on Thursday the 19th, and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will suspend the vehicle plate-ending driving restriction (number coding) on the special non-working days, Monday the 16th through Wednesday the 18th.

■ What's changing
· Full alert means 100% of police personnel are on duty. Central Luzon and Calabarzon were included so they can fill the gaps left by sending support personnel to Metro Manila (Manila Bulletin).
· Figures for summit security personnel differ by report. Manila Bulletin says more than 20,000 police officers, while GMA says more than 19,000 police officers plus more than 3,000 from other agencies, totaling nearly 23,000.
· Two lanes on the EDSA Ayala–Roxas Boulevard stretch will be reserved for delegation vehicles, and traffic will be briefly stopped on EDSA, Roxas Boulevard and Makapagal Avenue whenever the leaders' motorcades pass. The security zones around the PICC and CCP will remain in place through Wednesday the 18th (PNA).
· The MMDA will deploy 2,637 personnel from the 13th to the 19th (PIA) and will suspend the electric "Love Bus" service from the 16th to the 18th (Inquirer).

■ Tips for residents and travelers
· Police said there are no major threats and only general threats such as disturbances and crimes of opportunity (pickpocketing, etc.) (GMA).
· According to Rappler, the MMDA expects roads to get congested from the weekend as homebound travelers hit the road for the five-day holiday starting Saturday (the 14th). Plan your trips with extra time.
· Police said they will respect peaceful assemblies but will disperse those that infringe on the rights of others (Manila Bulletin). It's best to avoid areas near rally sites.

■ Sources
GMA (11/12), Manila Bulletin (11/12), PNA (11/12), PIA (11/12), Rappler (11/12), Inquirer (11/12)

■ Photos
· 1. Briefing announcing the PNP full alert — Manila Bulletin
· 2. Screen showing the MMDA ASEAN traffic management plan — Rappler
· 3. PICC entrance during summit preparations — Rappler
· 4. File photo · Handgun on a police officer's waist — GMA News
· 5. File photo · Electric bus at a terminal — Inquirer