ASEAN organizing council urges Filipinos to respect summit delegates

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations Nations (ASEAN) Organizing Council on Monday urged Filipinos to respect foreign delegates expected to arrive in the country for the 49th ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines will host next week.

Retired Maj. Gen. Potenciano Camba, the council's deputy director general for operations, said more than 20 delegations are expected to attend the summit, including representatives from the 11 ASEAN member states.

The summit is scheduled for November 16 to 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.

The Philippines previously hosted the 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings in May in Cebu.

Speaking on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, Camba said security measures and traffic management plans were in place to ensure the safety of delegates and the public.

He acknowledged, however, that the public would have to adjust its daily routines because of expected disruptions during the event.

“We have informed our fellow Filipinos to adjust their daily routines. The MMDA, our partner under the Committee on Security, alongside local government units, has already issued a rerouting plan,” Camba said.

He also cited Proclamation No. 1447, which declared November 16, 17 and 18 as special non-working days in the National Capital Region to help ease traffic and ensure the safety of summit participants.

Addressing groups planning to stage demonstrations during the summit, Camba acknowledged their right to assemble but appealed to them to consider holding their protests after the country's hosting duties.

“Let us hear the voices of our countrymen. The Philippine National Police is fully prepared and capable of managing these situations," Camba said.

However, it would be much better if our fellow Filipinos held their protests after the summit because it would look bad if we have demonstrations while we have visitors,” he added.

Camba likened the situation to receiving guests at home, saying Filipinos should prepare for and show respect to their visitors.

The organizing council also said it was working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to address potential cyberattacks and prevent the spread of misinformation.

Camba urged the public to share only verified information and refrain from spreading fake news during the summit.

He appealed for cooperation and the spirit of bayanihan to ensure the successful hosting of the regional gathering, saying the country's reputation was at stake.

The Philippines assumed the ASEAN chairmanship from Malaysia in 2026. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to formally turn over the chairmanship to Singapore, which will host the bloc's summits in 2027.— MCG, GMA News

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