Focus On: Philippines

Security bolstered nationwide ahead of presidential elections slated for May 9

Please be advised:

Reports citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson indicate that over 42,000 military personnel have been deployed nationwide as of May 2 to perform election duties. The additional personnel will seek to secure the elections and conduct operations to thwart any security issues on voting day, which is scheduled for May 9.
The spokesperson identified several groups being monitored, including the New People’s Army (NPA) and Abu Sayyaf.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has developed a color-coding system to categorise areas based on security concerns. Green category areas are considered no security concern, yellow indicates some concern, orange indicates immediate concern, and red indicates grave concern. 14 cities and 100 municipalities have been placed in the red category, but Comelec has yet to publicise the list, as of writing.

Assessments:

Election-related violence is a common occurrence in the Philippines, exacerbated by the proliferation of unlicensed firearms, local feuds, and weak law enforcement. In this light, the bolstered security is precautionary due to the general risk of violence rather than tied to a specific threat.
The enhanced monitoring of groups like the NPA and Abu Sayyaf is liable to sustain ahead of, on, and immediately following election day.
Authorities are also expected to tighten online monitoring of known hackers’ activities, evidenced by the arrest of three members of a hackers’ group in connection with an alleged data breach involving a poll software provider, per April 26 reports.
Enhanced protocols, including vehicular and identity checks and crowd control measures, are anticipated, especially in major cities and near sensitive government installations.
Ad-hoc campaign rallies may also occur by candidates or their supporters, high turnouts are expected and are liable to exacerbate localised travel disruptions.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in the Philippines, particularly in Manila, on May 3 and going forward are advised to maintain vigilance of important political developments due to their potential to develop into public disruptions and unrest.
We advise those operating in the Philippines to avoid all protests, political rallies, and large gatherings due to the potential for clashes.
We advise against all travel to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Cotabato, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Siburgay, Zamboanga del Sur, and the Sulu Archipelago, including the islands of Basilan, Jolo, Tawi Tawi, given the high threat of militancy, criminality as well as the elevated risk of kidnapping of foreign travellers. Furthermore, avoid travel to all of Mindanao, with the exception of the cities of Davao and General Santos.
Foreign nationals are advised to practice increased vigilance against possible crime while keeping a low profile when traveling and refraining from divulging travel itinerary information to strangers. Furthermore, travellers are advised to remain cognisant of widespread perceptions of corruption and abuses by security forces and government authorities and maintain vigilance when engaging with law enforcement officers.

Philippines: Fire reportedly ongoing in Almeda Street, Manila as of afternoon hours (local time) on May 4

Please be advised:

Emerging reports indicate that a fire is ongoing at a residential building in Almeda Street, Manila as of afternoon hours (local time) on May 4.
The cause of the fire and the number of casualties remain unspecified as of writing.

Assessments:

Given the ongoing firefighting operations, localised disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the afternoon and coming hours are highly likely.
Should the fire spread, local businesses and residences along Almeda Street will likely be evacuated.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Manila as of the afternoon hours of May 4 are advised to maintain vigilance at and in the vicinity of Almeda Street, due to the ongoing fire and associated firefighting operations.
Allot for localised disruptions to travel.
If possible, opt for an alternate route to minimise the delay.
In case of fire, turn off the main power supply to your residence or office.
If your clothes catch fire, stop moving, drop to the ground, and roll immediately, covering your face with your hands until the fire is out.

Philippines: Security, traffic measures enforced nationwide ahead of elections on May 9

Please be advised:

Reports indicate that authorities have outlined several security and traffic measures to be enforced nationwide ahead of, during, and following the May 9 elections.
According to reports, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will intensify security measures across all roads and public transportation during the polling hours from 06:00 to 19:00 (local time) on May 9.
Around 90 security personnel will reportedly be deployed from May 8-21 to monitor traffic within the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Metro Manila. During this period, vehicles will not be allowed on Magdalena Jalandoni Street inside the PICC Complex from Gil Puyat Avenue to Vicente Sotto Street.
Per reports, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that all its stations nationwide have been placed on full alert. 24 towns and four cities across the country have been placed under the control of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), with the deployment of PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCF) personnel.

Assessments:

Given precedent, there is a heightened risk of election-related violence ahead of, during, and following the May 9 elections. In this light, the bolstered security is precautionary due to the general risk of violence rather than tied to a specific threat.
Enhanced protocols, including vehicular and identity checks and crowd control measures, are anticipated, especially in major cities and near sensitive government installations.
The enhanced traffic measures are likely to cause nationwide disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in the Philippines on May 9 and over the coming days are advised to maintain vigilance of important political developments due to their potential to develop into public disruptions and unrest.
We advise those operating in the Philippines to avoid all protests, political rallies, and large gatherings due to the potential for clashes and crowd control measures.
In the event that a security checkpoint is encountered, act respectfully and patiently, while cooperating fully with security personnel.
Allot for nationwide disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic on May 9.

Philippines: Protest ongoing outside COMELEC in Quezon city as of evening hours (local time) on May 9

Please be advised:

Emerging reports indicate that a protest is ongoing outside the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in Quezon City, Metro Manila as of the evening hours (local time) on May 9.
Protesters are demanding the extension of voting time.
Reports also indicate that the police were deployed to the protest site.

Assessments:

As of writing, the protest has transpired peacefully and without incident. However, should the gathering turn unruly, security forces will forcibly disperse the protesters.
Given precedent, the probability of protesters clashing with security forces is likely.
Travel disruptions in the area are very likely in the vicinity of the COMELEC over the coming hours.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Metro Manila over the coming hours of May 9 are advised to maintain vigilance in the aforementioned location due to the ongoing protest and latent risk of unrest.
Additionally, allot for disruptions to travel and seek alternate routes if possible.
Also, remain cognisant to authorities’ updates regarding possible road closures.

Philippines: Gathering ongoing in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, as of overnight hours on May 9-10

Please be advised:

A gathering by supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ongoing outside of his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, as of the overnight hours (local time) on May 9-10.
His supporters are gathering to celebrate his unofficial lead in the presidential polls held earlier on May 9.
Traffic disruptions have been reported in the area, including on Epifanio de Los Santos Ave (EDSA).

Assessments:

Given precedent, should the gathering turn unruly and exacerbate disruptions, security forces are likely to forcibly disperse the supporters.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in Metro Manila over the coming hours of May 10 are advised to maintain vigilance in the aforementioned area given the ongoing gathering, reported disruptions, and latent risk of unrest.

Philippines: Student protests slated nationwide over Presidential elections on May 10

Please be advised:

Reports indicate that students are slated to hold multiple demonstrations across the country to oppose Presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ victory per preliminary results on May 10.
Protests are slated:

Outside the COMELEC Main Office, Manila from 09:00 (local time).

Outside the University of the Philippines, Manila from 07:30.

At the Calamba Crossing, Laguna from 10:00.

At the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, in Iloilo from 09:00.

Assessments:

The turnout at the slated protests is expected to reach the mid-to-high hundreds in line with the social media traction the event has gathered.
Security will likely be bolstered outside the protest sites, but more broadly across the country and outside prominent government buildings as a pre-emptive measure.
There remains a latent risk for clashes between the authorities and participants, especially if the latter adopts a behaviour deemed unruly, which may result in forcible dispersal measures or arrests of protesters.
Vehicular and pedestrian disruptions are likely across the country due to the slated protests and the anticipated security measures.

Recommendations:

Those operating or residing in the Philippines on May 10 are advised to maintain vigilance in the vicinity of the aforementioned locations due to the slated protests and the associated risk of unrest.
Allot for extra time for travel, and if possible, opt for alternative routes.

Philippines: Gathering ongoing in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, as of overnight hours on May 9-10

Please be advised:

A gathering by supporters of presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ongoing outside of his campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, as of the overnight hours (local time) on May 9-10.
His supporters are gathering to celebrate his unofficial lead in the presidential polls held earlier on May 9.
Traffic disruptions have been reported in the area, including on Epifanio de Los Santos Ave (EDSA).

Assessments:

Given precedent, should the gathering turn unruly and exacerbate disruptions, security forces are likely to forcibly disperse the supporters.

Recommendations:

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