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

Detailed summary

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…

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.

Opening of the article, excerpted from GMA News. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.