BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The local government of Bacolod has received compliments from the national organizers for hosting well the 15th Meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Senior Officials Responsible for Information.
The ASEAN Security Task Force (ASTF), in its assessment report, cited Mayor Evelio Leonardia for providing logistical support, and the members of the 21 government agencies composing the Committee on Security, Peace and Order, and Emergency Preparedness and Response (CSPOEPR) for ensuring the security of the delegates.
The report said these agencies with its members worked tirelessly in synergy to achieve ‘zero incident during the Bacolod hosting.
ASTF commander Police Director Napoleon Taas said they witnessed a ‘whole of government’ cooperation working like never before but only in the City of Smiles, a release from the Bacolod City Information Office said.
A total of 4,692 personnel from the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), including Bacolod City Police Office, were on full alert status, and complementary police force was augmented from Iloilo were deployed from March 20-24 to secure about 50 delegates from 10 ASEAN countries.
Aside from the police personnel, teams from other agencies were deployed to strategic areas to facilitate speedy response in cases of emergency, he said.
“Even the rallyists simply proved no match to the well-rehearsed security coverage employed,” Taas added.
There were Civil Disturbance Management forces from Iloilo ferried to Bacolod by a Philippine Navy vessel, NICA (National Intelligence Coordinating Agency) providing timely intelligence, and the DOH (Department of Health) providing medical assistance and even water to the rallyists, the report added.
“The ASEAN delegates have already returned to their respective countries, but if only their eyes could speak, they are probably unanimous in saying that they will never ever forget Bacolod and the beautiful people of the Philippines,” Taas added.
Bacolod get praises for ASEAN hosting
