NCRPO: No threat ahead of ASEAN Summit, maximum tolerance for protests

Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday said it had not monitored any active security threats ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, as it assured the public that police would exercise maximum tolerance toward protesters.

NCRPO officer-in-charge Police Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said the police intelligence community continued to monitor possible threats as authorities prepared for the international gathering.

“So far, patuloy ang monitoring ng ating intelligence community at ang report sa atin na wala naman pong active na banta,” Abrahano told GTV’s Balitanghali in an interview.

(So far, our intelligence community continues to monitor the situation, and our reports indicate that there is no active threat.)

He said the NCRPO had prepared contingency plans to address possible unforeseen incidents.

Security monitoring would cover summit venues, hotels designated as billeting areas for foreign leaders and delegates, their travel routes and other areas in Metro Manila.

Abrahano also said the police were prepared to handle possible protest actions during the summit.

He said authorities recognized the public's right to express their advocacies and would exercise maximum tolerance while ensuring the safety and security of summit venues, including the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

“Asahan po na ang kapulisan ay magbabantay and we will exercise maximum tolerance pero papanatilihin po namin na safe and secure din 'yung mga venue areas natin tulad no'ng sa PICC,” he said.

(Expect the police to be on guard and exercise maximum tolerance, while ensuring that our venue areas, including the PICC, remain safe and secure.)

Abrahano said the NCRPO had not received information as of Wednesday about any permits issued by local government units for protest activities.

District directors and station commanders had been instructed to ensure that gatherings and protests would be held in designated freedom parks.

He urged groups planning to stage protests to cooperate with authorities to help ensure a safe and secure summit.

Meanwhile, Abrahano said security operations would be intensified around designated exclusion zones, including the PICC, where checkpoints and other security measures would be put in place.

The NCRPO was also coordinating with local government units and private security agencies to secure 16 hotels designated as billeting areas for foreign delegates.

Ceremonial lanes had likewise been designated along routes connecting the airport, the billeting areas and the PICC.— MCG, GMA News

Follow GMA News Online on Facebook for real-time news and developments in the Philippines and around the world.