LUCENA CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Southern Luzon has deployed combined air, land and sea forces to secure the athletes and game venues of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Calabarzon region.
Lt. General Gilbert Gapay, commander of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) based here in Camp Nakar, said they have deployed 1,300 Army soldiers, Navy sailors, airmen with a standby of one Army Infantry Battalion and another combat group from the Philippine Air Force to secure the athletes, coaches, staff and venues for the SEA Games.
“Contingency plans for any eventualities are simulated and multi-agency coordination center is already [established] and fully operational. We will not leave anything to chance in terms of security preparation,” Gapay said in a statement released Saturday by Lt. Colonel Dennis Cana, Solcom public information officer.
Gapay has expressed confidence that the Philippines’ hosting of the biennial regional multi-sport event will be smooth and successful.
“Let us extend our full support to all our Philippine athletes and let us all work together to win as one,” he said.
Part of the 5,631 local and foreign athletes will be competing in nine games in different venues located in Laguna, Batangas and Cavite provinces.
The SEA Games will be held from November 30 to December 11.