The Philippine military said Wednesday that its 5,500-strong troops are still ready in the central city of Cebu to ensure safety for the postponed Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit meetings next week.

However, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) believe there is no validated threat to the Summit, according to AFP public information office chief Bartolome Bacarro.

Bacarro told a press conference that the military's security measures had been in place even after the Summit was reset from Dec. 11 due to a typhoon threat.

The military did not pull out from Cebu around 5,500 personnel earlier deployed in the city, he said. "We maintained our holding in the area."

Bacarro added that no direct threat to the Summit has been found based on intelligence reports as of now.

The Philippine military has formed as early as last November the Task Force Alalay, composed of land, sea and air components to ensure the peaceful holding of the Summit. The police is also deploying around 7,000 men at the site.

Source: Xinhua