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Sunday, October 12, 2003
AFP, PNP all set for Mindanao games
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO -- Security measures during the third Mindanao Friendship Games in Mati, Davao Oriental, slated this October 19-24 are now in place.
Chief Supt. Isidro Lapeņa, police regional director, made the assurance in a press conference Thursday.
Lapeņa said police have been preparing not just for the Mindanao Games in Mati but also for the Girls Scout of the Philippines (GSP) national camping that will coincide with the sporting competition in Mati.
The Philippine Army, meanwhile, created Task Group Buhain specifically for the games.
A team of experts from the explosive ordnance division (EOD) of the Army's 6th Infantry Division based in Cotabato City as well as K-9 teams were provided to TG Buhain.
Venues of the games, the billeting areas as well as the VIP's attending the activity will be tightly secured leaving slim chances for a terrorist attack in the entire duration of the games.
Military and police intelligence networks were also been strengthened. Even the Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy are under instructions to conduct air and sea reconnaissance in and around Mati.
Mati Mayor Francisco "Paking" Rabat earlier assured participants to the Mindanao Games that nothing untoward would happen during the conduct of the games.
Rabat said the local government along with the PNP, AFP and even the local MILF and NPA in the area gave their commitment for a peaceful and successful Mindanao Games.
Thousands of delegates from all over Mindanao are expected to participate in this annual sports competition, which started three years ago, in an effort to foster a harmonious relationship among Mindanaoans.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced that 80 percent of the 2003 Palaro Games delegates are "very sure" of their intentions to participate in the nationwide sports event amid tight security in Mindanao.
Ariel Paredes, PSC head of National Programs Secretariat and Special Assistant to the PSC, said as Saturday they have listed 3,468 participants for the 2003 Palaro games set this October 19-25 at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
"We have gathered that about 80 percent of participants are now very sure (in taking part of this year's Palaro)," he told reporters after a command conference participated by the military, police and local government officials in preparation for this year's Palaro.
The number of participants, 3,468 to be exact, was ascertained during the National Educational Congress held in Baguio last October 7-9. It was attended by Department of Education (DepEd) representatives from all different regions in the country who manifested their intent or objection to the sending of participants in their respective regions for the Palaro Games.
Paredes said most of the participants are mostly between 10 to 12 years old for those in the elementary level while it would be between 14 to 16 for high school students.
"So we expect this 3,468 to double if not increase by half as per ten athletes, there is one parent or guardian who will accompany him/her," he said.
Paredes said they would still be working on convincing Region 1, NCR and Cordillera to send in some participants.
"Even if they will just send in token participants as long as someone is representing their region. We hope to get 100 percent of the regions to participate even not the entire full delegation of 434 (participants)," he said.
Paredes said he was surprised and "impressed" regarding the comprehensiveness of the security plan to make sure nothing untoward will happen before, during and after the Palaro event.
This was also echoed out by Lanao del Norte Gov. Imelda Dimaporo and other mayors who attended the gathering. However, all of them are set on holding the Palaro Games on the scheduled dates.
Taskforce Ranao, which is tasked to secure the whole Lanao area together with the local police, is set to hold simulations and drills on escorting delegates from entry points to the Palaro's venue. There will also be rehearsals in case of medical evacuation and other emergencies.
(October 12, 2003 issue)
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