The opening of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Sunday was "generally peaceful," the Philippine National Police (PNP) said, as security preparations continued ahead of the main summit scheduled for November 16 to 18.
In a statement, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said "police personnel maintained security coverage" and coordinated closely with partner agencies throughout the opening activities to ensure the orderly conduct of the summit hosted by the Philippines under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Following the opening ceremony, Nartatez 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.
The PNP chief, meanwhile, commended police personnel and partner agencies for their efforts in ensuring the orderly conduct of the opening activities.
He attributed the generally peaceful opening to thorough "preparations, teamwork, and cooperation among those involved in the security operations."
“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 operation," Nartatez said.
Pero tuloy-tuloy ang ating trabaho. The main summit activities are still ahead, kaya kailangan nating manatiling alerto, handa, at nakatuon sa ating responsibilidad,” he added.
He directed concerned units to maintain close coordination, sustain police visibility, and ensure prompt response to any security concerns during the remaining summit activities.
Nartatez also reminded police personnel to "perform their duties with professionalism, discipline, courtesy, and respect for the public."
The PNP has placed its units in the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3, and Region 4A, along with all Camp Crame-based units, under Full Alert Status to support security operations for the regional gathering.
The police said the preparations are aligned with its Focused Agenda, particularly the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which emphasizes coordinated security planning, effective deployment, and continuous operational monitoring.
The PNP said it "remains committed to supporting the country's hosting of the regional gathering and ensuring the safety of all participants."
The PNP assured the public that security measures would remain in place throughout the November 16–18 summit to help ensure the "safe and orderly conduct of all scheduled activities."
