Mindanao peaceful — PSC

Contrary to reports, peace and order will not be a problem in the first Mindanao Friendship Games.

Based on findings presented by a team from the Philippine Sports Commission sent two weeks back to conduct ocular inspections at the venue, commissioner William "Butch" Ramirez gave the assurance that no untoward incidents are bound to happen in the meet scheduled Nov. 11-15 at the Mindanao Civic Center in the capital town of Tubod.

"I’m from Mindanao and I assure everybody that it’s really safe to go there," said Ramirez, the event’s project director, in yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum, sponsored by Agfa Films and Red Bull, at the Holiday Inn.

"Tubod, in fact, is even safer than New York in the United States and Quiapo here in Manila," he added.

Ramirez said preparations for the games is currently in fever-pitch as entries, expected to reach 2,000, are starting to pour in from 26 local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao.

He said the PSC had invited President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to grace the opening ceremony on Nov. 11 as the keynote speaker although Malacañang has yet to confirm her attendance.

"The PSC has invited the president herself as the keynote speaker and we hope she comes," said Ramirez.

The PSC is holding an open competition for the first time since the Philippine National Games was shelved several years back due to financial difficulties. Lanao, on the other hand, will be hosting the biggest sporting event ever since the Mindanao meet in the 60s.