THE late arrival of United States President Donald Trump will not affect the schedule of next week’s Asean Summit, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.
Dominic Xavier Imperial, DFA spokesman for Asean-related matters, said in a press briefing at the International Media Center in Pasay City that all scheduled events — including the closing ceremony and the ceremonial handover of the Asean chairship to Singapore — will proceed as planned, with the Asean-US Special Summit concluding the event.
“Nothing will be pushed back. We will proceed as planned with regard to the preparations, especially on the closing ceremony,” Imperial said.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in the Philippines on Nov. 17, half an hour before the closing of the Asean Summit. He is expected to attend the Asean-US meeting on Nov. 18 before flying to China for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
Imperial said he doesn’t have the details of Trump’s schedule for Nov. 18.
“This is a bilateral engagement, but what I understand is there will be engagements on that day,” Imperial said.
The spokesman confirmed, however, that bilateral meetings will be held between the Philippines and the US, Japan, Brazil, Korea, Australia and the United Nations during its hosting of the 49th Asean Summit.
The 49th Asean Summit will be held on Nov. 15, with the opening ceremony, plenary and retreat sessions.
Interface meetings with the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, the Asean Business Advisory Council and Asean Youth will follow.
Individual meetings with key dialogue partners will be from Nov. 16 to 17, alongside the 29th Asean Plus Three Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit.
During the duration of the summit events, Philippine Navy (PN) warships will be deployed in Manila Bay as part of security measures.
Capt. Marissa Martinez, PN spokesman, told reporters during the PN change of command on Friday that “all our naval assets, particularly those deployed here in the naval [Philippine Navy headquarters], in the National Capital Region, will be deployed and will ensure the security and the protection not only of the President and not only the delegates of the Asean, but they would make sure of the success of the activity.”
Securing Manila Bay is critical because key event venues like the Philippine International Convention Center are located along the bay.
Among the warships are the newly acquired BRP Rajah Sulayman and the BRP Rajah Lakandula, which are now docked at the Navy headquarters in Pasay City.
Martinez said the Navy has been deploying warships to Asean activities in the country since it started in Cebu City.
The Navy will also be fielding marines and Naval Special Operations Group (SEALs) during the Asean-related events.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said its own preparations for the summit next week will not disrupt regular police operations or weaken its presence in communities nationwide.
“Our commitment to securing the Asean Summit will not come at the expense of the safety and security of our communities. The PNP’s regular police operations, crime prevention efforts and emergency response services remain fully operational while we fulfill our summit security responsibilities,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
The National Capital Region Police Office, Police Regional Office 3 in Central Luzon, Police Regional Office in Calabarzon and all Camp Crame-based units will be placed on full alert from Nov. 13 to 19.
More than 19,000 police personnel have been deployed for the summit, backed by over 3,000 personnel from other government agencies.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has stepped up random and surprise inspections at major transportation hubs to accommodate an expected surge of travelers during the upcoming five-day break for the 49th Asean Summit.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Nov. 16 to 18 as special nonworking days.
The LTFRB is taking proactive measures to ensure safe and reliable travel, its acting chairman, Greg Pua Jr., said on Friday.
Pua said inspections were focusing on the roadworthiness of passenger buses, and the mental and physical readiness of drivers and conductors for long trips.
“We expect a large influx of our countrymen to the bus terminals to return to their respective provinces for vacation because this is a five-day school holiday,” he said.
To address the anticipated surge of travelers, the LTFRB has granted special permits to 372 buses. Majority of the permits — 245 units — were issued to buses bound for Northern Luzon, followed by 111 units for Central Luzon.
Additional permits were granted for routes to Bicol, Southern Luzon and Western Visayas.
On Thursday, Pua told The Manila Times that he led other agency officials in inspecting bus stations along the EDSA Busway.
He has also directed the agency’s Regional Franchising and Regulatory Offices to monitor terminal operators’ compliance with passenger comfort and safety standards. This includes ensuring sufficient protection from the weather, functional restrooms, and accessibility for persons with disabilities and senior citizens.
