Dela Rosa asks rallyists to cooperate during ASEAN Summit
Student protesters push the gates outside the main venue of the ASEAN summit meetings in Manila to protest this weekend's visit of U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017 in Manila, Philippines. Trump is currently on a visit to Asia with the Philippines as his last stop for the ASEAN leaders' summit and related summits between the regional grouping and its Dialogue Partners. AP/Aaron Favila
MANILA, Philippines —Philippine National Police Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Sunday morning appealed to the militant groups to cooperate during the 31st Association of the Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
Dela Rosa said Sunday is the most “critical” day during the country’s hosting of the summit as several leaders and delegates would arrive.
He added that there was no imminent threat detected but Dela Rosa said the police force is monitoring the protests being lodged by various groups.
“Sana isipin natin ang kapakanan ang Pilipinas, magtulungan tayo (I hope they would consider the welfare of our country. Let’s cooperate,” Dela Rosa said over a radio interview at dzBB.
Police keep around 200 activists away from the CCP Complex, which has been locked down for #ASEANinPH. pic.twitter.com/6ZOxDlxEw8
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) November 12, 2017
The PNP chief asked the demonstrators to stage protests in the designated areas.
The Manila city government and National Capital Region Police Office previously said they would only allow rallies during the ASEAN Summit at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo or the Liwasang Bonifacio, where protests are often held.
Last Friday, around 250 activists picketed at the US Embassy in Manila to protest the ASEAN Summit and US President Donald Trump’s visit to the country. They wanted to ban Trump citing the US and President Rodrigo Duterte’s “fascist regime” as well as neo-liberal policies.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan earlier said they would burn an effigy of Trump depicting “the US leader as the fascist, racist CEO of US imperialism on November 13.”
At least 60,000 police officers were designated to secure the summit. Part of the contingent are elements of the police Crowd Disturbance Management unit, who will deal protesters.
The interior department also implement a lockdown which would affect some roads during the conduct of ASEAN.—Rosette Adel
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