20,000 gov’t personnel to secure SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines — Around 20,000 personnel from different government agencies will secure over 10,000 athletes participating in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, PNP officer-in-charge, said the PNP is “putting its best foot forward” for the 530 events of 56 sports that will kick off on November 30 and will end on December 11 in different venues across Luzon.

“We have started preparations since last year. We continue to rehearse and fine-tune all our systems and procedures for this event, such that we have established a full back-up system that will address any unforeseen situation that may arise,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Gamboa said the PNP contingent will also secure different venues of engagement of the athletes, while other PNP units will provide assistance for crowd control, traffic, route, parking, and venue security.

After inspecting the P13-billion sports complex in New Clark City in Tarlac last month, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, also the chairman of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, said the Philippines is 100 percent ready to host the SEA Games.

The opening ceremony for the SEA Games will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. /je

RELATED STORY

Sports leaders predict at least 220 gold medals for Philippines in SEA Games