Fate of Palaro in GMA’s hands

The fate of the embattled Palarong Pambansa is still in the hands of President Arroyo after the latest outbreak of violence in Lanao del Norte drew varied reactions from the military and education officials barely two weeks before the national games unfold in Tubod.

Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus said Malacañang will have the final say on the staging of the event set May 4-11 although he stressed that preparations among the competing regions must continue on the assumption that the games will be held as scheduled.

"They should continue to prepare their athletes for the competitions," de Jesus told The STAR after a five-hour meeting of the Palaro Management Committee (Mancom). "We have to proceed on the assumption that the games will continue."

The education chief pointed out only Malacañang can make the final decision on the security issue while the Philippine Sports Commission will handle the funding so these two will eventually decide if the games should go on as scheduled.

But Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes maintained that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is bent on disrupting the Palarong Pambansa "to embarrass some government officials, especially those in Lanao del Norte."

"It was unfortunate that while the government was trying to push for peace with the MILF, the separatist Muslim rebel group launched an attack in Maigo, Lanao del Norte, " Reyes said. The siege left 16 people dead and 20 wounded.

Maigo is four towns away from Tubod.

According to the Armed Forces, at least 500 fighters under MILF commander Abdulrahman Macaapar, alias Commander Bravo, swooped on the town, attacked a police detachment, terrorized passengers of a bus and took at least 300 residents as "human shields."

AFP Chief Gen. Narciso Abaya said government troops are pursuing MILF rebels at the moment and charged that the MILF is running an extortion ring in Lanao del Norte.

This came about as PSC’s Palaro consultant Rolly Brillantes said that Buhain has agreed to release the partial financial assistance amounting to P10.5 million to 12 of the 17 regional directors who have confirmed their regions’ participation.

Brillantes also hinted at the possibility of re-scheduling the meet from its original date to third week of May to give both the PSC, Lanao del Norte, the participants and the military to find solution to the problem.

There were reports that holding the event in Tubod despite the escalating crisis in Lanao del Norte would only lead to a low turnout of participants.

"Kung sa Tubod pa rin, baka talagang mabawasan na ang participants, lalong lalo na sa elementary division kasi hindi nating masisisi ang mga magulang unless mapatunayan hindi ganun kagulo doon sa Lanao del Norte."

Brillantes added that there is also the possibility of moving the Palaro to other venues outside Tubod. Cities and provinces like Bacolod, Manila, Laguna, Iloilo and Puerto Princesa, Palawan have all been mentioned as potential alternative venues.

In fact, the Philippine National Police has recommended to the Palaro organizers to transfer the venue even as it maintained that the local police of Tubod is ready to secure the participants in the national games.