Foreign delegates have begun arriving in the Philippines ahead of the 49th ASEAN Summit, prompting authorities to tighten security measures in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.
NCRPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Hazel Asilo told DZRH News that security personnel have been fully deployed to hotels where foreign delegates are staying, DZRH's Jecelle Ricafort reported.
However, Asilo declined to identify the hotels for security reasons.
She said the NCRPO is ready for the high-level international gathering scheduled next week, adding that the police force has already been placed under full alert status across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Aside from hotels, police are also securing summit venues, nearby areas, major roads and routes expected to be used by foreign delegates.
Asilo assured the public that the NCRPO has not received any validated security threats related to the ASEAN Summit, although security assessments and intelligence monitoring remain ongoing.
The Department of Foreign Affairs earlier confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the summit on November 17.
Other expected attendees include leaders from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the Manila summit and will instead be represented by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, according to China's Foreign Ministry.
