Asean meeting in Bohol a go despite clash

Meetings of trade officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in Bohol will “go on as planned” this week despite the security scare from the recent clash between government troops and Abu Sayyaf bandits in the province, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Monday.

“(Bohol) might as well be considered a well-fortified and (the) most secure place in the country right now,” said DILG officer in charge Catalino Cuy, chair of the security committee of the Asean National Organizing Committee.

Asean officials will discuss trade negotiations and hold other related meetings at Hennan Resort on Panglao Island on April 19-22, he said.

About 100 Asean-related meetings are to be held in the Philippines after it assumed chairmanship of the 10-member regional bloc this year, its 50th founding anniversary.

Manila will host the 30th Asean Summit on April 26-29. The 31st Summit will be held in Pampanga in November. —PHILIP C. TUBEZA