As per reports, Western Visayas has been placed on full red alert status in preparation for the 49th Meeting of the High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration (HLTF-EI), scheduled from Wednesday (25 February) to Friday (27 February) in Iloilo City.

Economic ministers and delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam are expected to attend the meeting. The details are as follows:

• More than 1,900 police officers have been deployed across Iloilo City following a send-off ceremony held on Friday (20 February).
• The Philippine National Police has suspended the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence within Iloilo City from on Friday (20 February) until Sunday (01 March).
• Only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties in prescribed uniforms are authorised to carry firearms during this period.
• The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council activated red alert status to ensure continuous monitoring and preparedness throughout the high-level international gathering. All concerned agencies, responders, and local DRRMCs have been directed to closely monitor their respective areas and submit situational reports to the regional operations centre.
• In addition, the Iloilo City government has ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes from Wednesday (25 February) to Friday (27 February) to facilitate security and traffic management arrangements.