FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) has not identified any threats regarding the August-September International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Basketball World Cup 2023 to be hosted by the Philippines.
“Sa ngayon ay wala pa naman tayong namo-monitor na anumang seryosong banta para nga sa nalalapit na pagho-host natin para sa Fiba pero hindi tayo ang kumpiyansa palagi,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a media briefing on Monday.
(At the moment, we have not monitored any serious threat for our upcoming hosting for Fiba, but we will not be complacent.)
“[Pero tuloy] yung ating coordination sa ating counterparts lalong lalo na sa kanilang mga intelligence units para kung may mga information tayong natatanggap ay vina-validate natin yan to make sure na hindi tayo malulusutan ng anumang banta sa seguridad,” she added.
(We are continuously coordinating with our counterparts, especially with their intelligence units, so that if we receive any information, we can validate it and ensure we’ll not miss any security threat.)
Earlier, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said that similar security measures from the 2015 Apec Summit, 2015 Papal Visit, 2017 Asean Summit, and the 2020 Miss Universe Pageant would be implemented for the Fiba event.
According to Acorda, the Security Task Force (STF) FBWC 2023 was organized by the government as the primary body in charge of security operations and public-related safety services during the games.
The Philippines is set to host participants from Africa, America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and around 3,253 World Cup customer groups are expected to join the event.
Although Fajardo did not specify the number of cops to guard the event, she said the PNP was confident that “sufficient” police personnel would be sent off to secure the safety of participants and attendees.
“Hindi lamang doon sa mga engagement areas and venues doon sa mga malalapit, pati na rin doon sa mga billeting areas ng mga players ay si-siguraduhin natin na may mga sufficient police personnel tayo ma-de-deploy to make sure na yung security and safety [ng mga] participating players,” the PNP spokesperson said.
(We will ensure that we have sufficient police personnel situated not only in the engagement areas and venues nearby but also in the billeting areas of the players to ensure their safety.)
“Lahat ng mga probinsya at regions kung saan yung venues of games ang ating mga regional directors will provide sufficient personnel,” she added.
(In all the provinces and regions where the venues of games are, our regional directors will provide sufficient personnel.)