Around 1,500 cops to secure ASEAN meet in Boracay — PNP

The ASEAN meeting on Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan from December 10 to 13 will be secured through the deployment of around 1,500 cops in critical areas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.

In a statement, the PNP said comprehensive security preparations are in place for foreign delegates attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Senior Officials’ Meeting (ASEAN SEOM) Retreat.

“We are implementing a comprehensive security plan covering all critical areas of Boracay, including ports, beaches, and hotels,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

“May mga checkpoints tayo, CCTV monitoring, at deployment ng highly trained personnel sa bawat key location (We have checkpoints, CCTV monitoring, and the deployment of highly trained personnel in every key location),” he added.

Nartatez has ordered the Police Regional Office 6 to constantly supervise and update the security measures for the event with around 200 expected delegates.

The police are also closely coordinating with local government units and other law enforcement agencies.

According to Nartatez, the safety of both delegates and tourists remains the PNP’s top priority.

“Siguraduhin natin na bawat operasyon ay nakabatay sa protocol at karapatan ng bawat tao. Work closely with community stakeholders, maintain high morale, and always prioritize coordination with other security forces,” Nartatez said.

(Let’s make sure that every operation is based on protocol and the rights of every person.)

“Ang ating presensya ay para magbigay ng seguridad (Our presence is to provide security). The eyes of ASEAN and the world are on us so we must perform with excellence,” he added. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News