Philippine Sports commissioner William "Butch" Ramirez said Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Dimaporo and husband Congressman Abdullah "Bobby" Dimaporo are leaving no stone unturned to make sure the Palarong Pambansa, a multi-sports meet for high school and elementary student-athletes, will be peaceful.
"Of course, Tubod, Lanao del Norte is a very peaceful place that’s why the first Mindanao Friendship Games was a resounding success," said Ramirez.
"But just to make sure, the Dimaporo’s (Imelda and Abdullah) are coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to make sure that everyone’s stay in Tubod will be peaceful," he added.
Ramirez said the Dimaporos are planning to increase visibility of the police and armed forces by putting additional checkpoints on roads and highways leading to Tubod.
Although there are apprehensions regarding the peace and order situation in Mindanao, the Department of Education regional directors from all over the country pledged full support to the annual meet which is expected to attract 5,000 to 6,000 student-athletes.
Ramirez said no untoward incident happened when Tubod hosted the first Mindanao Friendship Games two years back.
Meanwhile, the PSC has moved the Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy, the government sports agency’s grassroots development program for kids aged 12 years old and below, from August to January next year because of conflict in the PSC schedule of events.