'No terror threat to SEA Games'

PNP chief sees no specific danger from terrorists

By Musong R. Castillo, Inquirer News Service

NO THREAT.

Philippine National Police director Arturo Lomibao yesterday assured that they have all the bases covered as far as security in the coming 23rd Southeast Asian Games is concerned.

More than 10,000 security personnel from the PNP and the military will be fielded to make sure that peace and order is maintained, even as Lomibao declared that there are no clear threats from any terror groups that may disrupt proceedings.

“This is a very big event for the Philippines,” Lomibao said during a visit to the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Vito Cruz Street. “There are no specific threats from the Jemaah Islamiyah or any terror groups.”

“But we will be very cautious and we will address all problems as far as security is concerned,” he added.

Lomibao said that SEAG Police Task Force chief Avelino Razon’s men will be covering all 39 venues to be used in the Games, which will have at least two big satellite venues in the south.

Philippine Sports Commissioner Joey Mundo and executive director Guillermo Iroy joined Philsoc-PNP liaison officer chief superintendent Rodolfo Thor, chief superintendents Leonardo Bataoil, Pedro Bulaong and Vidal Querol during the inspection and briefing.

More than 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries are expected to be in the country for the November 27-December 5 Games, and part of the security team’s responsibilities is to make sure that the flow of traffic will be in order.

With Southeast Asia still reeling from the horror of the October 1 Bali bombings, officials are not discounting the possibility of a terrorist attack targeting foreign athletes.

“This kind of gathering is always a very good opportunity for them to conduct terrorism,” Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan, head of the Philippine National Police-Intelligence Group, earlier told the Inquirer.

Two months after terrorists struck in three cities and killed seven people, Manila hosted the 112th International Parliamentary Union, a gathering of the world’s lawmakers. With a report from Luige A. del Puerto