Asean protesters warned: Stay away
MANILA - Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa urged on Sunday militant groups who were planning to conduct rallies during the 31st Association of Southeast Asia Nations (Asean) Summit and Related Meetings to stay away from the event's actual venue for the sake of the country’s pride.
"Mahirap nang mapahiya ang buong Pilipinas 'pag may nangyari diyan kaya sabihin nilang isang konting paggambala sa kanilang movement, sasabihin na konting vehicular accident, natapunan ng plakard o kaya biglang merong tumawid sa Edsa, eh malaking istorya na 'yan kaya sana kahit maliit na country tayo, isipin natin ang kapakanan ng Pilipinas sa buong mundo, magtutulungan tayo ngayon, very crucial ang mga araw na ito sa future ng ating bansa (It's difficult. The Philippines might be put to shame. Even if there are few distractions like vehicular accident, it could be written as a big story. So, even if we are a small country, let's think of the country's welfare. Let's help each other. These days are very crucial for the country's future),” he said.
"Kung tutuusin ito yung pinaka D-day, tatlong araw, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday pero diyan sa tatlong araw na 'yan ito yung pinaka-critical today dahil ito yung pinakamaraming movement, pinakamaraming arrivals na mangyayari (Of the three important days, Sunday, is the most critical because a lot of movements and arrivals are happening today)," Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said they have not monitored any imminent threat against the conduct of the Asean but assured the public that authorities are readuy against any eventualities.
Several protests were conducted since Friday to oppose the Asean summit that will be held in the country from November 13 to 15.
Militant groups were protesting particularly the arrival of United States (US) President Donald Trump who is expected to arrive on Sunday.
Hundreds of members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan from the Southern Tagalog, who reportedly arrived in Manila on Sunday morning, are planning to marched toward the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where the summit will be held.
They brought along placards with statements against Trump and a giant US flag that they will burn during their program.
Members of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Civil Disturbance Management immediately positioned in the area to prevent protesters from getting near the PICC.
Committee on Security Peace and Order, Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR) Head Secretariat Police Chief Superintendent Nestor Bergonia earlier said protesters are allowed to stage their picket only in the freedom parks and if they insist they have to get through policemen.
Dela Rosa said policemen are instructed to impose maximum tolerance on the protesters.
“Magkakaroon talaga ng salpukan diyan pagka mag-i-insist silang pumasok. Itataboy talaga sila palabas (A clash will happen if protesters insist to enter the restricted area. They will be driven away),” he said.
Over 60,000 joint security forces from 21 government agencies were deployed to ensure the security and peace and order of the event especially the delegates.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi have already arrived in the country.
Dela Rosa apologized for the monstrous traffic being experienced in the roads in the Metro as well as in the routes from Clark to Manila where the delegates will traverse.
He urged the public to avoid the Edsa and the delegates’ routes to avoid heavy traffic jam.
The Metro Manila Development Authority advised about the lockdown in several areas to allow Asean delegates from passing through including in Edsa and in the vicinity of the PICC.