Myanmar crisis no cause for panic – POC

MANILA, Philippines - The chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation to the Myanmar SEA Games is not pushing the panic button despite a string of bombing incidents that have rocked the host nation the past few days.

But Jeff Tamayo, second vice president of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said the Filipinos must observe extreme caution heading to the Games.

Tamayo is a retired colonel in the Philippine Air Force. He said he will use his connections to try and get a better grasp of the situation.

Since Monday, nine explosions have been reported in different cities in Myanmar, including Naypyitaw, Yangon and Mandalay, venues of December’s SEA Games.

Three explosions took place Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Reports said three persons have died from the explosions that started Monday.

Tamayo said he’s looking closely at the situation.

“We will ask an officer from the intelligence community to come up with a report on what’s really happening in Myanmar,” the chief of the Philippine Soft Tennis Association said yesterday.

When the report comes in, Tamayo said POC president Jose Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia will be thoroughly briefed on the situation.

“So they can draft preventive measures. We will also brief the delegation before flying to Myanmar. During the tournament we’ll have daily meetings to address whatever problem may arise,” he said.

Jose Romasanta, POC first vice president, is in Myanmar. But Cojuangco yesterday said he has not heard anything from the former.

“Negative,” Cojuangco told The STAR when asked if he had gotten in touch with Romasanta.

A report from Reuters said authorities have not pointed to anybody or any group behind the bombing, which has injured an American tourist.

But the report also said it may have something to do with Myanmar “assuming” chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“It must have been carried out to create worries and concerns among the people and to make the international community doubt the security standard in Myanmar at a time when Myanmar is going to take the Asean chair,” presidential spokesman Ye Htut was quoted as saying.

Garcia said the safety of the Filipino athletes and officials is the priority.

“We will always look after the safety of our athletes. We will keep our fingers crossed. I hope this won’t affect the Games,” he said.