PNP: No security threats to 2019 SEA Games
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said they have neither received nor intercepted any report of any threat to the 2019 Southeast Asian (Sea) Games that will be held in various areas in Central Luzon this November.
The PNP, through its spokesperson – Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, however, vowed to remain alert and continue to monitor the situation to ascertain the safety of the public before, during, and after the 12-day regional sports event.
“Sa ngayon wala naman tayong natatanggap na anumang banta sa seguridad pero kailangang manatili tayong alerto at mapagmatyag sa anumang mga kaganapan upang mapigilan natin ang insidente na magbibigay ng embarrassment or puna sa ating security,” Banac said in a briefing at Camp Crame.
“Ang mahalaga mapanatili atin ang kaayusan at kapayapaan sa lahat ng mga venues,” he added.
According to Banac, 15,000 police officers from the Police Regional Office-3 (PRO-3) and National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) would be deployed to secure venues for the November event.
“Patuloy ang security preparations ng PNP sa nalalapit na Sea Games, ang ating Police Regional Office 3 sa Central Luzon ay naghahanda ng 5,000 na kapulisan natin,” he noted.
“Ang NCRPO ay magdadagdag din ng 10,000 na tauhan para augmentation sa lahat ng mga venues,” he added.
The last time the Philippines hosted the SEA Games was in 2005, with events held in various parts of the country like Metro Manila, Cebu, Negros Occidental, and Laguna.
For the 2019 Sea Games, opening ceremonies would be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, which has a 55,000-seating capacity. However, most of the games would be held in New Clark City in Pampanga and Subic Bay in Zambales. /kga
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