The incident of a man, surnamed Hsu (徐), who attempted to break into the Presidential Office on Aug. 21 with a fake gun and was taken down by three on-duty military police (MP) officers, highlights the importance of security at the office, a military spokesman said.
The spokesman said that aside from asking for the MPs to remain alert when on duty, as well as undergoing additional exercises, new armored infantry-fighting vehicles (IFV), protective gear against nuclear and biochemical threats and new insulation equipment were all being distributed to Presidential Office security personnel.
Incidents such as last month’s intrusion are simply unacceptable, the spokesman said.
In addition to preventing aerial attacks, the military has installed air defense weapons at “appropriate locations,” the spokesman said, adding that the equipment would not be visible in ordinary times.
The air defense equipment will be adjusted and modified according to needs, the spokesman said.
As the security of the Presidential Office and its surrounding area is handled directly by the Republic of China Military Police Command, military police officials have said that its units have long stationed IFVs within the Presidential Office compound.
MPs are replacing the old V150 four-wheeled IFV with the eight-wheeled indigenous “Clouded Leopard” vehicles, the spokesperson said.
As the IFVs provide strong mobility and firepower, the military police command is planning to acquire Clouded Leopards to ensure the security of the capital’s garrison area, and preliminary deployment of the IFVs would prioritize strategic points around important garrison areas, such as the Presidential Office, the spokesperson said.
The total cost for 14 vehicles is NT$1.2 billion (US$40 million), the spokesperson said, adding that the shipment would be paid for in installments over six years.
In addition, as the Presidential Office and other important command centers could be targets of terrorist attacks and other threats, nuclear and biochemical protection are also important, the military official said, adding that starting next year, the Presidential Office and other important command centers would begin reinforcing nuclear and biochemical protective measures.
Funds for such reinforcement procedures stand at NT$32 million and they are estimated to be completed in two years, the official said.
Translated by Jake Chung, staff writer
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