20k cops tapped, 300 flights rescheduled for summit security
More than 20,000 police personnel are being mobilized and some 300 flights are being rescheduled as officials on Wednesday said they are “leaving nothing to chance” to ensure tight security for the country’s hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
President Marcos and his counterparts from the 11-member Asean are meeting for three days beginning on Sunday to tackle regional security, economic integration and cooperation. They will be joined by leaders from dialogue partners China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, India and Canada.
President Donald Trump, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have confirmed their attendance in the event.
“Security preparations for an event of this scale require foresight, seamless coordination and the ability to respond decisively to emerging threats. We are leaving nothing to chance,” Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.
The summit is expectedly generating buzz with the attendance of global leaders, including Trump who will be the target of protests particularly over the controversial US-led Pax Silica project.
Ready for any disruption
Nartatez said the more than 23,000 policemen to be deployed in and outside the summit venue—the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City—were ready “to respond to any action that will disrupt the event.”
Rejecting appeals from Malacañang and organizers to defer protests after the summit’s conclusion, civil society groups announced plans to mount demonstrations before and after the high-level event and Trump’s visit.
“Respect for visitors? How about respect for vendors and urban poor displaced by ‘clearing operations?’ Where is the respect for farmers and Aetas who will be evicted from their communities because of Pax Silica?” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Mong Palatino said.
Pax Silica is a US-led coalition that seeks to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, energy and logistics.
‘Appeal denied’
The Philippines has designated a 1,620-hectare site in New Clark City in Capas town, Tarlac province, as the proposed location of an AI and advanced manufacturing hub under the initiative, which is part of the broader Luzon Economic Corridor.
It has drawn flak and raised concerns over its potential huge demand for water and electricity, risks to the environment, land use, foreign dependence and transparency. These are on top of the possible displacement of farmers and Aeta communities in Tarlac.
Anticipation had been building for weeks over whether Manila and Washington will sign the framework agreement for Pax Silica during Trump’s visit. But on Nov. 7, US Ambassador Lee Lipton dismissed talk that a major announcement on the project would be made “during or after” the summit.
Palatino accused the Marcos administration of prioritizing foreign dignitaries over the welfare and rights of ordinary Filipinos. He said the government was accommodating Trump while suppressing the people’s right to peaceful protest.
“Appeal denied. We will hold protests before, during and after the Asean Summit and Trump’s visit,” he said.
Under the group’s “Trump Out” campaign, various groups from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon will converge with protesters for a “big rally” in Manila on Nov. 16, when Trump is scheduled to fly into Manila.
300 flights rescheduled
Meanwhile, more than 300 international and domestic flights from Nov. 13 to 19 will be rescheduled or canceled to accommodate the arrival and departure of heads of state and foreign delegates in Manila, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said.
“We are hosting a major global event, and there will be a major security operation in Metro Manila. That includes Naia (Ninoy Aquino International Airport), as most of them will be landing at Naia,” he said.
Dizon assured affected passengers that they would be given options to minimize the inconvenience caused by the flight adjustments.
“Passengers are assured of any of the following: free rebooking with all penalties waived, a full refund or a travel fund they can use for future trips. All of these options are guaranteed,” he said.
Under these arrangements, affected travelers may rebook their flights without paying penalties, request a full refund or opt for a travel fund they can use for future trips.
Dizon also assured passengers that the impact on international carriers would be minimal, with no cancellations expected.
“There may be some effects, such as occasional delays, but there will be no cancellations of international flights,” he said.
Plan ahead of time
Dizon urged travelers to plan their trips ahead of time and allot additional time for their airport journeys.
He also advised passengers to contact their respective airlines to verify their flight schedules and regularly check airline websites for updates, noting that carriers had been instructed to keep their websites updated.
The details of affected flights will also be posted on the official websites of the Department of Transportation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and Civil Aeronautics Board.
Mr. Marcos will chair the summit, with plenary and retreat sessions focusing on Asean’s priorities, including the crisis in Myanmar, which is wracked by widespread poverty, poor governance and civil war.
Asean leaders will also meet with parliamentarians, business representatives and youth groups as part of the summit’s schedules engagements.
The gathering will conclude with the turnover of the Asean chairmanship to Singapore, followed by the Asean-US Special Summit attended by Trump. —With a report from Gabryelle Dumalag
******
Get real-time news updates: inqnews.net/inqviber
