No threat to Philippines ASEAN hosting – PNP

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine National Police (PNP) has not monitored threats to the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this year even as security preparations are underway.

At a Palace briefing yesterday, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard and local government units continue to assess possible security risks.

“What we are considering are different threats that will affect the activities. As of now, we have not received or gathered any threats to the ASEAN Summit,” Nartatez said.

According to Nartatez, authorities have been preparing for the past year to secure ASEAN-related activities.

The 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit will take place from May 8 to 9 in Cebu, bringing together leaders from the 11 ASEAN member-states.

These are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

Later in the year, the 49th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit is scheduled from Nov. 10 to 12 at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay.

AFP deputy chief Lt. Gen. Rommel Roldan said the military would be providing full support to the PNP.

Nartatez said special ASEAN lanes would be implemented for the movement of VIPs during related activities in Manila.