ASEAN meetings in Bohol peaceful

CEBU, Philippines — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations ministerial meetings in Bohol wrapped up yesterday without any untoward incident.

Police Regional Office-7 director Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino said he was grateful for the support of the various members of the security task group working to make the 34th Maritime Transport Working Group Meetings a success.

“I’m very happy to report that the committee on peace, order, security preparedness and response of the national organizing committee of the ASEAN was successful in conducting security,” Espino said.

Except for the bomb threat received by the Borja Family Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Espino said no other security threats disturbed the four-day workshop in Bohol.

“The bomb threat that was reported in Borja hospital in Tagbilaran City has not affected the conduct of the 34th ASEAN meeting,” Espino said.

Espino said they also prepared for protest rallies because of intelligence reports that members of the cause oriented groups will hold protest actions during the anniversary of the martial law declaration. He said the protest action did not materialize.

“There was a report that they will conduct a rekorida in the city but it did not materialize,” Espino said.

The peaceful hosting of the meetings gave the delegates a positive impression on the peace and order situation in the province and in the entire region. Other ASEAN meetings are scheduled in Bohol on October 26 to 27.

Espino said that Bohol continues to be a safe zone for conferences and also for tourists.

“We could say that Bohol is still aplace for having conferences, tourist will be coming in and they will be assured of their peaceful and orderly coordination in Bohol,” Espino said.

In April, Bohol security had been threatened earlier with the entry of Abu Sayyaf bandits. They, however, were killed after over a month of intensive military and police operations.

The Abu Sayyaf group, led by Muamar Askali alias Abu Rami, was able to slip into Bohol through the help of his local contact, Joselito Melloria. —/FPL (FREEMAN)