The National Security Bureau announced Thursday that it has set up a new team tasked with maintaining safety during next year’s presidential election.
During the announcement, the bureau’s director, Chiu Kuo-cheng, said that security risks are on the rise as election approaches. Risks include confrontations between supporters of different political parties, sabotage from outside of Taiwan, and pressure brought on by media coverage.
Chiu said that the security bureau will need to ensure the safety of all candidates and their family members during the upcoming election. He said the mission has no room failure, and that the bureau’s team will enforce the law in an impartial manner.
The new security team consists of 330 highly-trained law enforcement personnel. They are all equipped with newly issued Glock 19 pistols, as well as a range of advanced equipment. This includes devices that can disrupt the flight of camera drones, as well as counter-surveillance equipment.