CEBU, Philippines, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Delegates and foreign dignitaries have expressed satisfaction with the security measures adopted by the Philippine government for the 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) now underway in the country's second largest city.
Director General Oscar Calderon, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said Friday that the visiting dignitaries were "happy with the security provided to them. There have been no complaints so far."
Calderon said that ASEAN delegates were also pleased with the accommodation accorded to them by the host government and the people Cebu.
But he stressed that the police will take no chances in ensuring the safety and welfare of the visiting foreign dignitaries and others coming to Cebu during the summit, slated for Jan. 13-15.
He also appealed to the public to help authorities by being vigilant and to report to the police any likely threat to peace and order, especially during the summit.
The same sentiment was expressed by Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, who said that "terrorism is always a concern and we must always ensure safety. But we have full confidence in our host," referring the Philippine government.
The visitors' expressions of confidence in the government's security preparations despite the three bombing incidents in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Wednesday have boosted the morale of the police and military providing security during the summit. Most local newspapers Friday carried the banner headline: Summit goes on; Philippines on high alert.
But Marciano Paynor, chairman of the Philippine National Organizing Committee for the summit, said that the Mindanao bombings were isolated cases that would not in any way affect the Cebu summit.
