Tubod losing grip on Palaro?

President Arroyo’s bold move ordering the military to launch aerial and artillery attacks against "embedded terrorist cells" in Mindanao will only make it more difficult — if not impossible — for Tubod, Lanao de Norte, to host this year’s Palarong Pambansa.

The President issued the order last Saturday, barely hours before she left for the United States to tackle a wide range of issues, particularly the global fight against terrorism, with American President George Bush.

The President’s order was a direct result of recent bombings and attacks in Davao City, Zamboanga del Norte, South Cotabato and Lanao del Norte. It also came more than a week after exploratory peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front were suspended.

The Palaro, expected to draw close to 5,000 elementary and high school athletes from all over the country, was originally scheduled in Tubod May 4-11 but was later on reset to May 18-25.

Tubod was already denied the chance to host the Palaro three times, the first in 1998 then in 2000 and 2002 either due to lack of funds or the unstable peace and order situation in Mindanao. Just for the Palaro, Tubod even built a main stadium worth P500 million.

The recent suspension of the peace talks, supposed to be held in Kuala Lumpur, then led to the Palaro’s indefinite suspension this year despite assurances from the military regarding the safety of the participants.

Palaro organizers, however, remain firm in holding it in Tubod sometime in July or one month after the start of classes.

Almost half of the 16 regions have decided against going to Tubod just to compete in the Palaro with the parents fearing for the safety of their children.

And the President’s latest order definitely won’t help them change their minds.

The regions that are against the holding of the Palaro in Tubod have hinted they would compete only if the games are held in another venue — not in Mindanao where the rebels are expected to launch counter strikes once the military implements the President’s order.

Once fighting erupts, Palaro organizers will be left with only two options: permanently call it off this year or hold it elsewhere.

By choosing the latter, they can save this year’s Palaro — not Tubod.