(Eagle News Service) — Authorities made their final security preparations, as the first day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit 2017 and its related meetings were set to kick off on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced a rerouting scheme for all trucks with a gross capacity weight of 4,500 kilograms and above “coming from and/or bound to Roxas Boulevard” on April 27, Thursday, and April 28.
The MMDA said the trucks, whether registered or not under the Terminal Appointment Booking System, should instead take different routes.
Those coming from the Port Area and that are bound for the South Luzon Expressway should take Bonifacio Drive, make a left at P. Burgos, access Finance Road and then Ayala Boulevard, then make a right at San Marcelino.
From San Marcelino, they should make a left at President Quirino Ave., then turn right to access the thoroughfare.
Those coming from SLEx and are headed toward the Port Area, on the other hand, the agency said, should make a right at President Quirino Ave. from the thoroughfare, make a left at Plaza Dilao, then a right President Quirino Ave. Extension.
They should then make a left at United Nations Ave., then turn right at Romualdez St., and left at Ayala, from where they should access Finance Road.
From Finance Road, the MMDA said the trucks should access P. Burgos, then make a right at Bonifacio Drive so they can reach their destination.
Inspection of troops
Early in the day, National Capital Region Police Office Director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde also checked up on the Metro Manila troops to be deployed for the series of activities lined up for the ASEAN summit.
Albayalde said in previous interviews that around 41,000 security personnel and force multipliers would secure the 30th ASEAN summit and its related meetings from April 26 to April 29.
The NCRPO chief’s first stop was the Manila Police District, where he addressed the “standby troops,” NCRPO spokesperson Chief Insp. Kimberly Molitas said.
During his visit, Molitas said MPD District Director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel also presented to Albayalde the arrested individuals for theft, robbery, illegal gambling, drugs, among others, in the city.
Molitas said the NCRPO chief would proceed to other Metro Manila districts.
Airport authorities said so far, only Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was set to arrive on Wednesday night.
Apart from the Brunei sultan, included in the final list of leaders who will participate in the ASEAN event are Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith.
ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Council director-general for operations Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr. said Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw would be represented by Aung San Suu Kyi, who was designated head of their country’s delegation.
Paynor said President Rodrigo Duterte, who is chair of this year’s ASEAN, is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the Brunei leader on April 27, and with the Indonesian President on April 28.
Asked if Duterte would raise the United Nations Arbitration Tribunal’s decision favoring the Philippines on the South China Sea during the summit or during any of its related meetings, Paynor said in a television interview, “Kung ikaw ang chair, you have to take a neutral stance.”