Over 5,000 Security Personnel Deployed for ASEAN Meet in Cebu City

Over 5,000 policemen, military and other personnel from the different national government agencies will be deployed for the security and other emergency measures needed for the scheduled Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) sub-meetings here starting tomorrow, April 3.

Early Sunday morning, a ceremonial send-off was held inside the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City. Senior Insp. Reslyn Abella, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said delegates as well as the media, who will be covering the event, should expect tight security measures.

“Our security details are similar to what we implemented during the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) meetings here but stricter since the country is still on terror alert. Wala pa man nag-downgrade (It was not downgraded yet),” she told the Philippine Information Agency 7.

Abella further said the public may expect high police visibility especially in Lapu-Lapu City, where the meetings will take place. She added there will be no signal jamming that will be implemented during the week. But, Abella noted, they may do it “depending on the prevailing circumstances”.

Chief Palace Protocol Officer and Asean National Organizing Committee head Marciano Paynor urged the people who will be deployed to do their best.

“We have to do our best that we can in all of our tasks given to us and make sure that the success of the meeting is assured,” he said during the send-off ceremony this morning. Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, PRO-7 regional director, in a separate interview said there is no threat for the ASEAN sub-meetings here but emphasized that they are prepared for every scenario.”Yes lahat ng scenarios napaghandaan natin yan. Nagconduct tayo ng cotingency planning. Paminsan-minsan merong simulations exercise to address a certain scenarios. Meron tayong team na nag-iikot at yun ang kanilang gagawin kundi check status, readiness ng mga personnel na naka deploy (Yes, we have prepared for all the scenarios. We have conducted contingency planning. We also have simulations exercise to address certain scenarios. We have a team that is checking the status, readiness of the personnel that are deployed),” he said.

According to the Department of Finance (DOF), it is expected that ministers and central bank governors from member states of the Asean are meeting this week to discuss ways of fleshing out Asean’s commitments to financial integration and cooperation, against the backdrop of a new wave of protectionism and other uncertainties in the global economy.

Philippines’ Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. will host the meetings at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City on April 6-7.

The meetings will also include the Asean Finance Ministers’ Investors Seminar (AFMIS), an annual event that aims to provide the regional bloc’s member-states with a platform to interact with investors and financial institutions, and exchange views on how to promote Asean as a regional investment destination. (rmn/clm/PIA7)