CCP Complex on lockdown for ASEAN Summit

The entire complex of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Wednesday was closed to both motorists and pedestrians as part of the security preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this week.

A report by GMA News' Jun Veneracion on 24 Oras showed policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office, military tanks, ambulances, and fire trucks on standby since Monday.

"Pag sinabing locked down it's all closed and it will be controlled by the Presidential Security Group," NCRPO director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said.

The report said the lockdown at the CCP Complex will last until Sunday.

Militant groups who are expected to stage a rally on Saturday in protest of the ASEAN Summit will not be allowed to go near the CCP Complex.

A stop-and-go traffic scheme will be implemented for 10 minutes on routes the heads of state will travel. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has also released a traffic rerouting scheme.

Albayalde said he has received strict orders from President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure that the traffic plan would not affect commuters.

"Mahigpit na bilin ng ating president, dahil ayaw niya maabala or put inconvenience to the commuting public," he said.

Albayalde added that the NCRPO has addressed the lack of water and portalets at the security outposts where more than 3,000 policemen have been deployed.

The Philippine National Police has reiterated that there is no security threat to the ASEAN Summit, where the region's leaders and hundreds of delegates are expected to attend.

Military tanks and anti-aircraft guns were at the vicinity of the CCP Complex in case the need arises, the report said. Signal jammers are also on standby.

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperon Cdr. Armand Balilo said their personnel already began patrols at Manila Bay.

"Ang advice ng PSG is yung vigilance. Hindi dapat mag-relax at magpakakampante," Balilo said.

Sea vessels are prohibited to go within one nautical mile of the area from Mall of Asia to the South Harbor until Saturday.

Balilo said the PCG also issued a notice to mariners and ordered their station commanders in Parañaque to spread the notice to fishermen.

"What we did is to, abisuhan ang station commanders namin dun sa Parañaque na ikalat dun sa mga fishermen and probably you can help us through your announcements na 'wag na sila lumapit sa area," he said.

Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was the first ASEAN leader to arrive in the country when he flew in Wednesday evening.  — Joseph Tristan Roxas/BM, GMA News