The Philippine National Police (PNP) commended on Thursday all its personnel who took part in ensuring the security of the just concluded 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit Meeting in Manila.
Director Napoleon Taas, head of the Asean Security Task Force (ASTF), said that with the departure of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at 12 noon on Thursday, all of the heads of states and leaders who attended the summit have safely left Manila.
“We have successfully secured the country’s hosting of the 31st summit and the 50th anniversary of Asean,” Taas declared.
“To the greatest security team that I had the privilege to lead, this is, indeed, a proud day for the nation. A day made possible by the nameless, selfless and dedicated men and women of the ASTF 2017,” he added.
Taas noted positive statements from US President Donald J. Trump and other world leaders describing their stay in Manila.
“US President Trump described his experience as fantastic. The Singaporean minister calls it a tough act to follow,” Taas noted. Singapore will be the host of the 32nd Asean Summit.
Taas also cited how President Duterte’s called them, “PRRD [Mr. Duterte] refers to all of us as his fantastic team.”
“To all of you, I will forever be indebted!! Mabuhay po kayong lahat,” Taas said.
Apart from the Monday’s clash between antiriot policemen and protesters during the formal opening of the summit, there were no major untoward incidents recorded by the PNP until Wednesday’s closing ceremony.
The meetings of the attending leaders went on smoothly.