MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that the opening ceremony of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Sunday, November 15, proceeded generally peacefully, as authorities maintained heightened security measures ahead of the main summit activities scheduled for November 16 to 18.
Police personnel, working alongside other government agencies, maintained security coverage throughout the opening activities to ensure the safety of visiting foreign leaders, delegates, and other participants attending the regional gathering hosted by the Philippines.
Following the opening ceremony, PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. visited the Multi-Agency Coordinating Center (MACC) at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City to monitor the security situation and assess coordination among participating agencies.
Nartatez commended police personnel and partner agencies for maintaining order during the opening activities but emphasized that security operations must remain uninterrupted throughout the summit.
“Maayos at generally peaceful ang naging pagbubukas ng ASEAN Summit, at nagpapasalamat tayo sa lahat ng personnel at partner agencies na nagtutulungan para maging maayos ang ating security operations. Pero tuloy-tuloy ang ating trabaho. The main summit activities are still ahead, kaya kailangan nating manatiling alerto, handa, at nakatuon sa ating responsibilidad,” Nartatez said.
He directed police units to sustain coordination with other security agencies, maintain police visibility, and respond promptly to potential security concerns during the remaining summit activities.
The PNP chief also reminded personnel to observe professionalism, discipline, courtesy, and respect for the public while carrying out their duties.
To support security operations, the PNP placed units in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon, along with all Camp Crame-based units, under Full Alert Status.
The heightened alert is intended to strengthen security coverage, facilitate coordinated deployments, and ensure continuous monitoring of areas affected by summit activities.
According to the PNP, the measures form part of its Enhanced Managing Police Operations under the agency’s Focused Agenda, which emphasizes coordinated security planning, effective personnel deployment, and operational readiness.
The police organization said security operations would continue throughout the November 16 to 18 summit activities, with authorities maintaining close coordination to address possible threats and ensure the orderly movement of foreign delegations.
The PNP also assured the public that personnel would remain deployed to help safeguard participants and maintain peace and order during the international gathering.
