Hong Kong deploys heavy forces VIP protection unit for Pres Duterte visit
Hong Kong Police Force is taking no chances with this week’s visit of Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.
Heavily armed counterterrorism units will patrol the streets, a rarely used anti-explosives vehicle capable of jamming radio signals will be deployed, as will members of the elite VIP Protection Unit.
Duterte, who arrives late on Tuesday and is considered a relatively high-risk target, will be accompanied by a significant police presence wherever he goes.
“The threat level to Duterte himself is relatively high, so we will mount a security operation to protect him,” a government source said on Monday, stressing that the city’s terrorism threat level itself remained “moderate”.
The source added: “Elite members of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit are expected to make a rare showing and carry heavy weapons, including MP5 machine guns and SIG 516 assault rifles, to patrol the area wherever the president goes.”
Duterte’s visit, his second in 10 months, comes amid an ongoing row surrounding the early recall of Jalilo Dela Torre, the country’s former labour attaché to Hong Kong. His removal two years into a three-year term proved unpopular with a large segment of the Philippine community in the city, and there are expected to be protests during the president’s visit.
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