Malacañang has defended the clearing of areas surrounding the upcoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit venue, stating that the measures are strictly implemented for security purposes.
The clarification was issued by Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a Palace briefing on Tuesday, November 10, following allegations from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) that the actions were intended to conceal local realities.
[I]to ay usaping pang-seguridad. Security po ang pinag-uusapan natin dahil halos 20 o dalawampung heads of state ang pupunta sa atin at ito po ay parte ng pagprepara para sa seguridad ng ating mga bisita,” Castro said.
Castro maintained that the preparations should not be politicized, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating national capability and hospitality to nearly 20 visiting heads of state.
”Malaking bagay po na maipakita natin na tayo ay isang bansa na makapagbibigay ng sapat na seguridad sa mga liderato na pupunta sa ating bansa. At dapat nating ipakita kung paano tayo – iyong hospitality na nakapaloob sa Pilipino,” she stated.
”So, walang anumang issue na dapat pag-usapan, pamumulitika rito kung hindi dapat pag-usapan natin ang magiging magandang epekto ng pagho-host ng Pilipinas sa ASEAN Summit,” Castro added.
According to Castro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is closely overseeing the completion of all venue preparations and is scheduled to inspect the Manila summit sites on Tuesday.
Addressing concerns regarding a planned transport strike, Castro assured the public that potential service disruptions will be handled, while appealing to activist groups to reschedule their demonstrations away from the summit dates.
”Ang hiling lang naman, kayo ay may panahon, marami kayong panahon kung anong gusto ninyong sabihin sa gobyerno mas maganda po sana kung hindi itapat ito sa pagdating ng ating mga bisita. Ipakita natin ang tunay na kagandahang ugali ng mga Pilipino,” Castro appealed.