Tight security in place for SEA Games

The Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) will employ about 15,000 security personnel with the Philippine National Police designated as the lead agency to ensure the peaceful conduct of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games the country is hosting Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

"Security is the primordial concern of Philsoc. The security coverage and public safety services to be undertaken would be the most comprehensive in Philippine history," said Police Director Rodolfo Tor, who is chairman of the Philsoc Committee on Security (ComSec).

"Although the country has successfully hosted several international events, a more complex and extensive security measure will be applied to ensure the peaceful conduct of the games," Tor added.

Tor said the PNP will be tapped as the lead agency with support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and several government agencies involved in intelligence and security.

Tor also said his committee had already conceptualized a grand security plan.

"A special security task force (TF SEA Games) with five task groups for the five sporting geographical areas was already organized and in place. Final coordination is being conducted to fine-tune the security efforts and address minor security considerations," said Tor.

"Preparation are now underway for the staging of security rehearsals with the assistance of some foreign governments prior to the actual SEA Games activity," Tor added.

Philsoc media bureau chief Clarito Samson said separate teams of FBI agents and British operatives are coming in the early part of October to help formulate security plans for the games.

Samson explained this would not cost Philsoc so much because the FBI and British agents will take care of their airfares. "Board and lodging lang ang gastos natin," said Samson.

Security personnel will be deployed on all sporting venues, billeting areas and routes during the Games to feature close to 8,000 athletes and officials from 11 nations.

The Philsoc is expecting a crowd of no less than half-a-million during the opening ceremonies at the Rizal Park on Nov. 27.

Civilian security volunteers will also be tapped to beef up uniformed security forces.