SEAG intelligence network to back RP job

Intelligence officers from the other participating countries will be arriving soon to coordinate with their Filipino counterparts and help ensure security in the forthcoming SEA Games.

Police Gen. Rodolfo Tor, in charge of the security preparations for the SEA Games, said he expects the foreigners to start coming in since the SEA Games is just 20 days away.

"May mga dadating nga," said the police general who recently briefed local sports officials on the security plans of the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

While there’s no clear and present danger to the Games, there are unconfirmed reports that local or foreign terrorists are plotting to conduct post-Ramadan bombing runs in the country.

"Baka kasi ma-disrupt ang mga laro," said Tor. "We’re here to ensure the successful conduct of the games and the personal safety of the participants."

He said more than 10,000 men and women from the PNP and its entire K-9 force (bomb-sniffing and attack dogs) will be utilized in the 11-national event set Nov. 27-Dec. 5.

Tor added that the respective embassies of the 11 participating countries have been in constant touch, discussing different matters, including security.

"But these are just part of the normal relationships between the different embassies," he said.

Around 500 men from the AFP will also be deployed in strategic places during the SEA Games. Just the other day, PNP chief Dir. Gen. Arturo Lomibao has named his deputy chief for operations, Dep. Dir. Avelino Razon Jr., as commander of Task Force SEA Games.

Meanwhile, the NCR Police Office is requesting P1.3 million from the Philsoc to secure venues and billeting sites.

NCRPO director Vidal Quero said this would cover the meals and allowances of some 15,000 policemen tasked to secure the 17 games venues and billeting sites in Manila. — With Non Alquitran