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PNP clears way for ASEAN, removes road obstructions
By Lilian C. Mellejor

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 11 (PNA) -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) removed “eyesores” and other obstructions in the routes of the heads of states, the diplomatic corps and visitors for the launching of the Philippines' chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Eyesores and obstructions include illegal parking signs on side streets, sign boards and advertisement signs of business establishments, garbage, construction materials and equipment.

Construction firms under contract with the Department of Public Works and Highways were ordered to cover diggings with steel plates. Construction firms were even on the rush to cover the road patches which are results of diggings.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, who is on top of the security preparation, said he has to do this.

But he stressed there is no order to keep homeless persons or beggars away from the visitors' eyes, only road obstructions for the security of the visitors.

Gaerlan called on all Davaoeños to support city officials and President Rodrigo Duterte as hosts of the international events by keeping their surroundings clean, emphasizing on the basic Filipino hospitality.

“Kung may bisita tayo di ba mag ayos tayo…maglinis…may mga bagong gamit. Dapat ganito din ang treatment natin sa ating bisita (If we have visitors isn’t it we keep things in order…we clean…we have new things. This should be the same treatment to our visitors),” Gaerlan said during the AFP–PNP press corps forum on Wednesday.

“We should show our best. Keep our backyard in order and clean. Tulong tulong tayo dahil hindi kaya ng police ito (We should help each other because the police cannot do this alone),” he said. He also called out on the business sector for their cooperation and support.

Gaerlan together with other agencies have been mapping out the routes of the heads of states, the members of the diplomatic and other visitors attending the ASEAN summit on Sunday.

On Monday, the Police Regional Office started deploying over 1,400 police officers to the different areas of activities on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the PNP said some 3,000 police officers, members of Task Force Davao, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other force multipliers would have been deployed to secure places and delegates of the ASEAN Summit.

Most of the police personnel, particularly from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), will be assigned in the activity and billeting areas as well as securing roads.

Davao City will be the center of two major international activities this month. Aside from the ASEAN Summit, the city will also host one segment of the Miss Universe 2016.

For ASEAN alone, the city is expecting more than 1,000 delegates who include representatives from the diplomatic community, representatives from the private sector, national and local government units and business groups.

This year marks the Philippines' assumption as chair of the ASEAN with President Rodrigo Duterte taking the helm of the country's leadership.

The ASEAN 2017 theme is, “Partnering for Change, Engaging the World.” (PNA)

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