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As the government is “seriously considering” threats of terrorism, Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. said on Wednesday all security issues for the holding of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and other related meetings in November are being addressed at “high levels” by the government.
Paynor, Philippine ambassador to the United States and the director general for operations of the Asean 2017 National Organizing Committee (NOC), admitted that the security of state leaders and guests is the government’s biggest priority.
“(Security) that’s one of our biggest priorities. I am very comfortable that all the security issues are being addressed by the security committee at highest levels,” Paynor said during a forum.
“And therefore we consider everything, primarily the terrorism threats, because this is something new and we do not have intelligence on this like ISIS,” he added.
Paynor said that the more traditional threats, like the ones coming from the New Peoples’ Army, would be handled by the government’s regional forces.
In a bid to assure the security and safety during what he called the “biggest convergence of political leaders in the Philippines ever,” Paynor noted that the government institutions are taking “very seriously” not just the threats of terrorism, but also of lone assailants.
“Yes we’re taking this (threats of terrorism) very seriously. The situation in Marawi City has stabilized but we know that there are many elements that are trying to enter and support the elements there,” he said.
“So the most difficult threat to guard against is the lone wolf,” he added, citing the recent shooting incidents in a resort and casino in Pasay City and in Las Vegas, USA.
READ: Resorts World Manila incident a ‘lone wolf terrorist attack’—Speaker
The ambassador also said they would deploy the largest number of security forces compared to previous events.
“We try to be proactive as much as possible and try to target all of the threats in each venue. We have to protect all of the transportation routes kaya no classes no work kasi maaabala kayo makakaabala din kayo,” Paynor said.
“As to the numbers of forces, what I can only say is we will deploy the largest number of security compared to previous events,” he added.
Paynor earlier confirmed that 21 heads of states will attend the summit to be held in Manila on November 13 to 15.
During the same forum, he confirmed that aside from the 10 leaders of Asean member-states, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, United States President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are expected to attend.
Aside from the Asean Summit, the country will also host the East Asia Summit and the 40th anniversary of the Asean’s collaboration with the European Union and with Canada. /jpv
READ: 21 world leaders including Trump, Trudeau, Abe to attend PH Asean meet