Wednesday, April 30, 2014

State Visit of President Obama

Hi everyone! I would like to share my observations and experience with the Police Officers monitoring the security and situation on President Obama's State visit.
During the weekend, the NCRPO met with the Metro Manila Developmet Authority (MMDA), Presidential Security Group (PSG) and the 5 District Deputy Directors for Operations (Manila Police District, Southern Police District, Eastern Police District, Northern Police District and Quezon City Police District) for cooperation and coordination.
On April 28, 2014, after the flag raising ceremony, the NCRPO did not conduct a conference. Instead, prepared the conference room for the situation and security monitoring.

As early as 4:30 in the morning, Civil Disturbance Management was distributed and augmented around Manila. There were contingents in Arlegui-Nepumoceno, Casal-Solano, Nagtahan Bridge, Quirino Avenue, Bustios Legarda, Chino Roces Bridge and along Mendiola.

2 hours before the Air Force One has touched down, they make sure that all road blocks were in place. At exactly 1:30 in the afternoon, Air Force One has landed the airport. So everyone in the team were focused on the news in able for them to instruct and coordinate with the teams on-site through the use of their radio.

As I was observing the flow of their movement, I realized that I know the procedures since my boyfriend, a Police Officer too, had his VIP Course last year, and he discussed his paper to me.









In the afternoon, an alleged IED found at Bayview Hotel by the Hotel security guard which was immediately attended by the Manila Police District SWAT. The box caught their attention but it happens that this bomb is just a toy. So, the Police Officers immediately made a report.



As soon as the information was relayed that President Obama reached his room in Sofitel at exactly 10 o'clock in the evening. PDir Carmelo E Valmoria with PCSupt Diosdado T Valeroso called the Deputy District Directors for Operations, Regional Staffs and the Philippine Army Joint Task Force, National Capital Region for an Operational Review of Day 1 State visit.

Police Officers who were on-site and were called, arrived the regional headquarters between 10:45-11:00 PM.



The preparation of the 11:00 PM conference on the Operational Review of Obama's visit Day 1







I looked in my watch and it's 11:58 PM, PDir Carmelo E Valmoria ended the conference by saying "Okay, hindi ko na paabutin ng 12 o'clock itong meeting. Kaya good night parin ha, di pa good morning. Prepare for tomorrow (he is pertaining to the Second Day of Obama's State visit)."

There were still security and CDM contingents that are on-duty throughout the night. And the monitoring was back at 6 o'clock in the morning. At 11:59 AM Air Force One is 60 miles away from the Philippine territory. Thus, security and situation monitoring is officially terminated. Indeed, it was successful!

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