THE Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Wednesday assured the public that security preparations for the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit this year were well underway, with no credible threats monitored. In a press briefing in Malacañang, acting PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said that authorities have been preparing for the past year to secure Asean-related activities in the country. He said the PNP, together with the AFP, the Philippine Coast Guard, and local government units, continued to assess possible security risks. “In coordination with other law enforcement agencies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and of course, with the help of local government units, we are ready now to implement or go with our security operations for Asean,” Nartatez said. “We have not monitored or gathered any threats with regard to the conduct of Asean,” he added. The 48th Asean Leaders’ Summit will take place on May 8–9 in Cebu, bringing together leaders from the 11 Asean member-states: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. The 49th Asean Leaders’ Summit will be held from Nov. 10 to 12 in Manila, at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center. AFP Deputy Chief of Staff Rommel Roldan said the military would provide full support to the PNP, which would take the lead in maintaining peace and order during the country’s hosting of Asean-related activities. Roldan said troops have been ordered to extend necessary assistance to the PNP in ensuring the safety and security of the events. Meanwhile, Nartatez said special “Asean lanes” would be implemented for the movement of VIPs during Asean-related activities in Manila, similar to the arrangements made in previous summits. The PNP chief explained that these dedicated lanes were part of efforts to further improve security operations and ensure the safe, orderly and efficient transport of delegates and officials. The Philippines is a founding member of Asean and has previously hosted major Asean summits and ministerial meetings, most notably in 2017. As host of various Asean-related activities this year, the country is expected to welcome regional leaders, senior officials and delegates, prompting heightened but calibrated security preparations.