Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767857085842Screen Shot 2026-01-08 at 3.23.37 PM_cropped_processed_by_imagy.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Photo from the ASEAN 2026 website</em></span></span></span></div><p> MANILA — There is no &quot;direct threat&quot; being monitored for the Philippines&#x27; hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit this year, according to an official of the ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC).</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/ph-launches-asean-2026-chairmanship-with-focus-on-ai-2155">PH launches ASEAN 2026 chairmanship with focus on AI</a></div><p>ASEAN NOC Deputy Director General for Operations Potenciano Camba said a “whole of government” approach is being mobilized for the country’s successful hosting, including law enforcement agencies and security forces.</p><p>“Since last year, we are aware that we are hosting the ASEAN for 2026. We have a close coordination and collaboration with these security forces for enhanced security operations,” Camba said during a briefing on the Philippines&#x27; preparation for ASEAN Chairship on Thursday, January 8.</p><p>“As of the moment, we don’t receive any direct threat for our hosting,” he noted.</p><p>Camba added that &quot;no untoward incident&quot; was reported during the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials’ Meeting (SEOM) Retreat in Boracay, Aklan in December 2025.</p><p>“We hope that [for] the rest of the year,” he stated.</p><p>The Philippine National Police to be supported by the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be responsible for the security during ministerial meetings while the Department of National Defense and the AFP will be &quot;primarily responsible&quot; for securing the leaders during the Leaders summit, according to Camba.</p><p>When asked about the potential “political protesters” amid domestic issues during the summits, ASEAN NOC Director-General for Operations Ma. Hellen De La Vega responded, “we remind ourselves that we are a democracy so, of course, we allow these voices to be heard.&quot;</p><p>De La Vega noted that the local government units are &quot;very much involved&quot; in the preparations and operations, adding that a lot of youth volunteers will also help in the conduct of the Philippine’s hosting of ASEAN 2026.</p><p>“We have a very clear, we exchanged views with the LGU partners on their readiness for security,” she said.</p><p>“Right now, as ASEAN NOC, right now we just have about 200 people actually just for the operations. So, it’s really a very tight group of people,” she added.</p><p>The ASEAN NOC, chaired by the Executive Secretary, will lead and facilitate the planning and implementation of programs for the Philippine’s ASEAN hosting this year as constituted through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s Administrative Order 17 issued in 2024.</p><p>It is composed of eight committees chaired by government agencies with one Special Committee of Senior Officials for Substantive Matters.</p><p>The high-level consultative meetings will kickstart this month with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat to happen on January 25 to 29, 2026 and the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) on January 26 to 30, 2026, both in Cebu City. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LEADERS&#x27; SUMMITS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>A total of 208 clustered meetings has been lined up for ASEAN 2026.</p><p>The 48th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be held in Mactan, Cebu on May 8 to 9, 2026 while the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits—where world leaders outside Southeast Asia are also expected to attend—will take place at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila on November 10 to 12, 2026.</p><p>However, it is &quot;too early to say&quot; who will attend the highly anticipated leaders&#x27; meetings, according to the DFA.</p><p>“We don’t’ have official receipt of their representatives. For China, usually it’s the Premier who attends,” ASEAN spokesperson Dax Imperial said.</p><p>“For U.S., no official confirmation yet if it’s gonna be [President Donald] Trump, and then for Russia ganun din po, no official confirmation on who will be sent for the summit,” he added.</p><p>During the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October, Trump participated in several meeting and summits including the 13th ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Summit and the signing of &quot;peace deal&quot; between Cambodia and Thailand.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>STRIKING ‘PRUDENT’ BALANCE</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, De La Vega noted that the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN 2026 comes at an “interesting time that is shaped by both potential opportunities and complex challenges within the region and the world.&quot;</p><p>She underscored that while the country fulfills its international obligations, it continues to focus on the recovery of communities ravaged by recent disasters.</p><p>“As we assume the chairship for ASEAN 2026, we are mindful of our place in the scheme of things as we carry out our international commitment, our country continues to focus on recovery and resilience, especially in communities recently affected by natural disasters,” she said.</p><p>“These realities remind us that our preparations must strike a prudent balance—one that upholds the high standards expected of ASEAN chairship, while ensuring that national and natural resources are utilized responsibly, sustainably, compassionately and accountable for our people&#x27;s needs,” De La Vega stated.</p><p>The official further vowed that they are “committed” to an ASEAN hosting that is “responsive to the evolving and unprecedented dynamics” of the region and the world. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6l_KawEPSKI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mPiUAd9-1G0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

No ‘direct threat’ monitored for PH hosting of ASEAN 2026—official

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No ‘direct threat’ monitored for PH hosting of ASEAN 2026—official

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 08, 2026 03:26 PM PHT

Read More:

ASEAN 2026

Philippines

politics

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