KALIBO, Aklan, 23 February (PIA6) — The ASEAN meetings held in Boracay Island from February 13-21 were successful and peaceful, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a radio interview, Police Regional Office 6 spokesman Police Sr. Supt. Gilbert Gorero said no negative incidents happened during the meetings.
Security in the island had been tightened even before the ASEAN meetings for the safety of delegates with forces deployed at airports, jetty ports, highways, billeting areas, and the surrounding seas.
The PNP said the deployment of thousands of police and other force multipliers in the island is a usual standard preparation for national events.
As of this writing, the Task Group Boracay ASEAN 2017 team organized by the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) specifically for the summit is still in Boracay Island to secure the safety of ASEAN delegates who remained for a few days in the island with their families.
Meanwhile, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) ASEC Charles Jose, in another radio interview, revealed that some foreign ministers who attended the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat expressed their interest to come back to Boracay together with their families in the future for their vacation.
ASEC Jose was in Boracay Island during the duration of the ASEAN meetings and held a briefing with the media on the progress of the meetings together with DFA Undersecretary Enrique Manalo.
Media briefings/press conference were held by the DFA at the media center located at Alta Vista Hotel in Boracay, while the meetings were held at Shangrila Resort and Spa.
From February 13-21, three ASEAN meetings were conducted in Boracay – the 23rd Meeting of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat, and the ASEAN Committee on Migrant Workers Meeting. (VGV PIA6 Aklan)