The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) has started security preparations for some of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in 2017 as the Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed that these will be held in Bohol and Cebu.

According to Senior Supt. Rey Lawas, PRO-7 deputy director for operations, they are already coordinating with various police headquarters to ensure the safety of delegates of the 10-nation bloc.

Lawas said that he was recently informed by DOT-7 officer-in-charge Judy Gabato that both provinces will be hosting the event’s activities in April next year.

The official highlighted the need for heavy police presence in areas of the summit’s activities, as he noted that the event will be covered by international media.

However, Lawas has yet to confirm which exact venues the series of meetings will be held and where the ASEAN delegates and their support teams will be billeted.

In September, President Rodrigo Duterte formally accepted in Laos the chairmanship of the ASEAN Summit for 2017.

The ASEAN is a regional organization comprised of the 10 countries in Southeast Asia which promotes inter-governmental cooperation and facilitates integration among its members.

Its members include the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. (Allen Doydora)

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