PNP satisfied with security preparations for ASEAN Summit

April 27, 2017

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa is satisfied with security preparations for the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. "We still have zero incidents. I hope this will continue," Dela Rosa said in an ambush interview Thursday at the ASEAN Security Task Force command center in Pasay City. Dela Rosa inspected police deployment at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde and other officials. He checked with police officers belonging to Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) teams if they have enough food and water. "They told me they have no problems," said Dela Rosa. Albayalde got hold of reports on Wednesday 4,000 CDM policemen, who are in charge of controlling protests, had little water and no portalets. He inspected the areas where they were deployed and addressed their concerns.. Dela Rosa said he reminded policemen that "our policy for rallies is maximum tolerance.” Even if rocks are thrown at them, Dela Rosa told policemen to be on the defensive and use their shields for protection. Authorities placed the CCP complex was placed on lockdown beginning midnight Tuesday until April 30. Commercial establishments inside were closed. ASEAN delegates and other guests who booked reservations and are staying at hotels within the complex would be given security passes. The summit’s venue, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), is a few blocks away from the CCP. As of Wednesday, a total of 126 of 820 registered delegates have arrived. A total of 129 delegates are expected to arrive. DMS