Bato dela Rosa: Zero incident on eve of ASEAN Summit

The Philippine National Police recorded zero incident on the eve of the 30th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit, as PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa expressed satisfaction on the security measures being implemented.

“Zero (incident) pa rin sa awa ng Diyos. Sana tuloy tuloy tayo,” Dela Rosa told reporters when he inspected the Cultural Center of the Philippines compound in Pasay City where the summit will be held from April 28 to 29.

“So far, satisfied ako sa nakikita ko dahil personally, kinausap ko naman sila lahat ng mga pulis na nakadeploy lalo na ‘yung mga CD (civil disturbance) dahil yan ang mapapasabak kung merong problema,” he added.

Dela Rosa earlier said they have not monitored any threat in connection with the upcoming Summit. 

He said those who will stage rallies can do it at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, some six kilometers away from the ASEAN Summit venue.

“Sa Liwasang Bonifacio they can conduct their rally there peacefully. Hindi namin sila papakialaman basta nandun lang sila sa mga designated areas,” he said.

He said they will stop protesters who will force their way to the areas near the ASEAN Summit but they will still implement maximum tolerance.

“Kung magpupumilit sila doon may problema tayo but still ang policy ko diyan sa rally is maximum tolerance. Sana naman sila ay mag-cooperate din. Filipino din naman sila. Makikinabang rin sila kung anong kabutihan ang makakamit ng Pilipinas out of this ASEAN Summit,” he said.

Dela Rosa said the police personnel deployed to secure the summit are well-provided and well-fed.

“Marami daw silang supply ng tubig. Sabi ko uminom sila ng maraming tubig para hindi sila madehydrate dahil sa init ng panahon, kailangan nila magrehydrate palagi. So marami daw silang tubig, pagkain, they are eating on time. So far they are well provided, they are well fed and they are well protected dahil meron naman silang mga gamit,” he said.

“P500 bawat isa sa pagkain lang iyan (bawat). So far, as I have said wala silang reklamo sa pagkain. They are fed well…I can see the morale of troops is very high and they are raring to perform their jobs.

He added enough portalets have also been provided to the security personnel.

Meanwhile, the Internal Affairs Service encouraged all PNP units tasked with the security of ASEAN to ensure public safety and conduct themselves with discipline, to be alert at all times and to follow PNP procedures and protocols in the conduct of their duty. 

IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they will be prompt in administering disciplinary action on PNP personnel who fail to fulfill their duties during the ASEAN Summit.

He also urged the public to report any untoward police behavior to the IAS Official Facebook Account. He said all reports of misconduct will be dealt with promptly for immediate investigation and disciplinary actions, if necessary. 

“IAS assures the public that PNP personnel are required to adhere to the highest standards of public conduct as they perform their mandate of protecting the Filipino public, as well as esteemed guests for the upcoming ASEAN Summit,” Triambulo said. — RSJ, GMA News