CEBU, Philippines, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit security task force has deployed more than 2,000 anti-riot policemen against unlawful protest actions here, the police said on Thursday.

    The anti-riot troops will officially kick off their works on Friday, Supt. Mariano Natuel, the CDM (Crowd Dispersal Management) task group commander told reporters.

    Natuel said that he is in charge of the troops to disperse possible violent protest rallies in any part of Metro Cebu, especially near the summit venues.

    Natuel added the CDM unit however has strict instructions to implement maximum tolerance during protest rallies.

    CDM troops on Wednesday tested their protective gears that include knee caps, elbow caps, helmet, vest, gas mask, batons and fiber glass.

    The CDM has not received any information pertaining to the possible joining of forces of foreign, national and local militant rally groups, Natuel said.

    Philippine military and police leaders earlier said that the government forces have reached more than 12,000 in Cebu to ensure the safety of the summit.