MANILA, Sept. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople said on Monday that protest actions against the visit of US President George W. Bush are expected, but this will not diminish the significance of the visit.

　　"Preparations are being undertaken to ensure that such protest actions remain lawful and peaceful. There may be those who will probably hope to dramatize their cause by resorting to violent and unlawful acts," Ople said in a press statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

　　Ople made the remarks in response to reports that certain groups are planning to disrupt the upcoming visit.

　　"Those who oppose our strategic partnership with the United States have achieved nothing so far except ventilate their frustration, as our relations with the United States continues to grow strong, and our cooperative efforts, particularly in the war against terror, have proven successful" he added.

　　Bush visit has been set on Oct. 18, and the US president will only stay in Manila for eight hours, which was suspectedly due to deteriorated security situation in the country following the escape of convicted Indonesian bomber on July 14 and a failed mutiny on July 27.

　　Ople said earlier last week that the significance of the Bush visit may not be measured by the number of hours he stays here, but by how much the bilateral relationship is improved.

　　A group of officials from the US intelligence and diplomatic protocol services arrived in Manila on Sunday to lay the groundwork for the Bush visit. Another advance party from the United States has been in Manila since last week to coordinate with their counterparts here on security concerns. Enditem