MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government will mobilize, “to the hilt” its resources to ensure a safe Miss Universe pageant in January, said an Interior and Local Government official.

“We cannot afford any lapses in security. Our enforcement agencies will make sure that there will be a safe and successful holding of the Miss Universe [pageant],” said Interior Undersecretary Emily Padilla on Friday, December 9, during a Palace news briefing.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) called a command conference on Thursday specifically to discuss security plans for the popular beauty pageant.

“We have the security plans, not just for Metro Manila, but all the provinces that contestants will be going to,” continued Padilla.

Since August, the PNP, Department of Tourism, and Miss Universe Organization representatives have met twice to discuss security matters.

“We have presented to them the security plans and conducted ocular inspections in the big day’s venue and we will do the ocular inspection in other areas,” said Padilla.

Miss Universe pageant events will take place in Pasay City, Cebu, Vigan, and Siargao, among other venues.

Busy month

January will be busy for law enforcement agencies because, aside from the Miss Universe pageant, the 2017 Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) Summit and related summits will be held that month as well.

But Padilla is confident that the government can ensure security during these events.

“We have managed to show the world already that we are capable of providing security to major events, like the Papal visit and the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Coopration), and now the ASEAN which will coincide with this Miss Universe,” she said.

The country’s hosting of the international beauty pageant comes amid recent terror threats and attacks.

Last September, Davao City was rocked by a deadly explosion in a popular night market. In late November, an improvised explosive device was found near the United States embassy. Government forces continue to clash with the Maute terror group in Lanao del Sur.

A state of national emergency persists in the Philippines while the PNP has put itself under terror alert level 3. – Rappler.com