PNP on full alert for Southeast Asian Games

Let the games begin — amid very tight security, of course.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao placed his men in Metro Manila and other key regions in the country on red alert to ensure that the Philippines’ hosting of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) remains trouble-free.

During his final inspection of the SEA Games security preparations in Bacolod City, Lomibao also said the PNP monitored no specific terrorist threats to the games, which will take place from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5, despite reports by Deputy National Security Adviser Victor Mayo that two members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) are in Metro Manila to conduct terrorist attacks.

Nonetheless, he has upgraded the alert status of the Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas and Central Visayas regions yesterday as a precautionary measure for these areas where the SEA Games competitions will be held.

He also said the country’s other regions will also be put on heightened alert to support the overall security of the SEA Games.

"Police units must strengthen the security of vulnerable police stations, government installations, telecom sites and other vital installations in response to the vocal threats of renewed hostilities by rebel groups," Lomibao said by way of reminder to the PNP’s regional, provincial, district and station commanders.

Lomibao led the inspection by PNP officials of Bacolod City’s sports facilities — the Bacolod Convention Center where the weightlifting events will take place, the Paglaum Stadium where the football matches are being held, the West Negros College that will host the indoor volleyball competitions and the St. La Salle arena where the boxing events will take place.

He also did a walk-through inspection of the dormitories where the athletes competing in these events will be housed.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Vidal Querol earlier upgraded his men to full alert status to thwart possible attacks by the New People’s Army in the wake of several clashes between the NPA and the military in the countryside.

Querol has also asked critics of the Arroyo administration not to hold street protests for the duration of the games, saying "our overriding goal is for all athletes and delegates to have nothing but happy thoughts about our country when they go back home... so I call for a ceasefire on all rallies."

He made this statement in the wake of intelligence reports that supporters of detained former President Joseph Estrada and the late actor and defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. are set to stage a massive street protest during the SEA Games to embarrass the Arroyo administration.

The protest plan was discussed at a recent meeting in a Quezon City restaurant between actor Rez Cortez, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, Rudy Iñiquez, Boy Agbayani, Vedr Eustaquio, Jonathan Enriquez, Joy Rejes and Raymund Simon, the reports said.

This group is hoping that foreign media covering the SEA Games will also cover the street protests.

Querol warned these protesters that he will impose the rule of law if they proceed with their rally. He added that the security preparations in Metro Manila’s 27 sports and billeting venues and surroundings areas have been made to ensure the safety of the 3,900 athletes and delegates competing in the events that will be held in Metro Manila.

At least 5,000 police personnel were deployed in Metro Manila. On Wednesday night, the NCRPO will set up checkpoints at all Metro Manila entry and exit points on the boundaries between Bulacan and Caloocan City, Rizal and the cities of Pasig and Marikina, Cavite and the cities of Las Piñas and Parañaque and Laguna and Muntinlupa City.

While there are no overt security threats to the games, Lomibao said the PNP is taking no chances. Intelligence operatives were deployed to strategic areas considered "vulnerable" to terrorist attacks.

"The SEA Games is an international event and we cannot afford to allow terrorists to carry out criminal activities," he said. "We want to make sure that we are one step ahead of the terrorists."

Lomibao ordered Task Force SEAG chief and PNP Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr., and Philippine Sports Commission security committee chief Director Rodolfo Tor to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the SEA Games.

In Central Luzon, security measures were tightened at the Subic Bay Freeport in Olongapo City, Zambales and Hidden Valley in Angeles City, Pampanga as athletes and other delegates began familiarization training in these locales.

Region 3 police director Chief Superintendent Alejandro Lapinid said Task Force SEAG reviewed and finalized the security arrangements for these two SEA Games venues Thursday.

Lapinid said 280 athletes and delegates, including coaches, and other meet officials are billeted at various hotels in Subic and at the Montevista Villas in Clark Field.

Subic will host the sailing, canoe, archery and triathlon contests, as well as lawn bowling and petanque.

The City of Angeles will welcome the SEAG athletes at Hidden Valley and these athletes will receive keys to the city upon their welcome to Angeles.

The SEA Games athletes and delegates from Brunei Darussalam and Singapore began arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals I and II yesterday and were brought by chartered tourist bus to their billeting areas.

Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza said the extension of port courtesies and government efforts will facilitate the entry of SEA Games delegates despite the large number of arrivals. — With Non Alquitran, Ric Sapnu and Rainier Allan Ronda