CLARK FREEPORT—Security preparations are underway for the 2026 ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Social Welfare Development, which will be hosted in Central Luzon. The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) has begun early groundwork to ensure safety and order at the international gathering.
On Saturday, PRO-3 Director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr. led an initial inspection of the Royce Hotel, the official venue in the Clark Freeport Zone. He personally assessed the facility’s infrastructure, entry points, and coordinated with hotel management on security protocols.
Peñones stressed the importance of early planning, noting that “security for international summits must be both precise and proactive.” The inspection is part of a comprehensive approach that aims to anticipate and mitigate potential vulnerabilities ahead of the event.
The summit will gather senior officials from ASEAN member states to discuss social welfare policy and regional cooperation. In April, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 17, forming a national organizing council to oversee the country’s ASEAN 2026 hosting responsibilities.
National and local agencies are collaborating with ASEAN organizers to ensure a secure and successful summit. The Philippine National Police is taking the lead in ensuring that the country upholds its credibility as a reliable host for international diplomacy.
