No credible threat as Bohol hosts ASEAN maritime summit

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 18): No credible threat as Bohol hosts ASEAN maritime summit

Central Visayas Police Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino said there is no credible threat that may hamper Bohol’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Maritime Summit starting Tuesday in Panglao Island.

Espino made the assurance on Sunday during the send-off ceremonies for troops who will be overseeing the peace and security of the second ASEAN meeting to be held in Bohol.

About 3,500 troops from different security forces were deployed to various areas in Panglao for the safety of more than 200 delegates from the 10-member regional bloc.

Reports from the Tagbilaran airport police station said the delegates have started arriving in Bohol as early as Monday last week.

The summit, which is spearheaded by the Transportation Department, will tackle various areas of concern related to the maritime industry in the ASEAN region.

Security has already been tightened in areas leading to the main venue of the summit, while checkpoints are being placed in strategic places.

The security arrangements are similar to what was imposed during the first ASEAN meeting held in Bohol last April, when government forces quashed the threat posed by the Abu Sayyaf Group.

The provincial government is likewise pinning its hopes that nothing untoward will happen, as far as security is concerned during the conduct of the ASEAN meetings.

Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto said there may be a third meeting in the province next month, but he is still waiting for confirmation from the organizers.

Espino said the strength of the personnel is enough to repel any potential threat to the summit which ends on Thursday.

This early, a no-fly and no-sail zone has been implemented near the resort where the summit will be held.

The summit will be the third biggest international conference hosted by Bohol this year.

After the April meeting of ASEAN trade ministers, Bohol also hosted the 34-nation Asia Cooperation Dialogue on the food-water nexus last month.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1009820