Garcia to support peace, unity swim

MANILA, Philippines –  The 24-hour non-stop marathon swim relay dubbed “The Great Pinoy Peace and Unity Swim” which aims to break the existing Guinness record for the most number of swimmers has gained yet another worthy supporter.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richie Garcia expressed his full support to the event during a meeting with organizers headed by former Senator Nikki Coseteng and Susan Papa in his office at Rizal Memorial Complex in Vito Cruz, Manila.

In a letter to Coseteng, Garcia said he already instructed the National Sports Association’s Affairs Office to coordinate and provide necessary assistance in the conduct of the event on Dec. 10 at the Diliman Preparatory School in Quezon City.

Earlier, the National Capital Region Police Office of Quezon City also joined the Peace and Unity marathon relay.

Police Superintendent District Director of Quezon City Benjardi Mantele has committed 3,000 police officers to join the swimming marathon.

So far, this is the biggest number of participants from the government sector who expressed willingness to join in the attempt to break the world record.

According to Coseteng, President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte will be invited to swim the first lap.

Former Asian Games swimmer Susan Papa said, participants will take turns swimming one lap each until the last swimmer completes the relay.

The Peace and Unity Swim tries to break the world record set in Padova, Italy last june 11 and 12 in which a total of 5,028 swimmers completed a commulative distance of 92 kilometers in a pool in 24 hours time.