Palace: Clearing ops to ensure security of leaders in ASEAN 2026

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The government is conducting clearing operations for next week's 49th Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to ensure the security of world leaders who will attend the event, Malacañang said Tuesday.

"May clearing kasi ito ay usapin pang siguridad, security po ang pinag-usapan natin dahil halos 20 heads of state ang pupunta sa atin at ito ay parte ng pagprepara para sa seguridad ng ating mga bisita," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during the press briefing.

(Clearing operations are being carried out because we need to ensure the security of almost 20 heads of state who will visit the country. This is part of preparations for the security of our guests.)

Vendors in Pasay City and Parañaque City are not allowed to sell during the summit.

The Department of Social Work and Development — National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) has distributed family food packs and financial assistance to about 30 vendors in Pasay as compensation for expected lost income during the summit.

Castro said Filipinos, particularly business owners, would benefit from the summit since it would open several opportunities.

"Magbubukas ng maraming oportunidad para sa mamayang Pilipino ang pamumuno ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN Summit," Castro said, adding that, "Partikular na makikinabang sa summit ang negosyo, kalakalan, pamunuhunan, trabaho at maayos na supply ng pagkain at enerhiya sa Pilipinas."

(The Philippine leadership of the ASEAN Summit will open up many opportunities for the Filipino people. Business, trade, investment, jobs and food supply and energy in the Philippines will particularly benefit from the event.)

Speak before or after

She also urged Filipinos to voice out their sentiments before or after the ASEAN Summit—not during the event.

"Ang hiling lang naman, kayo ay may panahon, marami kayong panahon kung anong gusto niyo sabihin sa gobyerno," Castro said.

"Mas maganda po sana kung hindi itapat ito sa pagdating ng ating mga bisita. Ipakita natin ang tunay na kagandahang ugali ng mga Pilipino," he added.

(We ask Filipinos that since they have a lot of opportunities to voice out their sentiments to the government, it is better to do so when visitors arrived. Let us show the kindness of Filipinos.)

The ASEAN Organizing Council has urged Filipinos to respect foreign delegates expected to arrive in the country for the 49th ASEAN Summit.

The summit is scheduled for November 16 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

Transport group PISTON has announced a one-day transport strike on November 16, the opening of the summit, as they plan to greet US President Donald Trump's presence in the country.

Castro assured that the government will address the needed public transportation during the protest period.

She also announced that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. will conduct an inspection on the preparations for the summit on Tuesday afternoon. — VDV, GMA News