Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said yesterday that he sees no likelihood of a terror attack but the military is prepared for any eventuality in this year’s 30th Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines.
“We do not see the likelihood but it’s better to be ready, right? We are implementing precautionary measures,” Lorenzana said at the send-off ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City for 400 soldier-athletes, coaches, emergency preparedness, and response teams and security personnel who will participate in the biggest sporting event in the region from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
About 20,000 police personnel will be deployed for the event and Lorenzana said the military will support the Philippine National Police by sending augmentation forces.
“We still need an augmentation because it’s better to have a surplus of security forces than lacking,” Lorenzana said.
He added that the fans who will come to the sports events should expect strict security for the safety of the participants and the public.
“We will see to it that all people that get in are authorized or those who will come to watch the events will be searched,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gen. Noel Clement, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said the military is “ready” to secure the SEAG and uplifted the morale of the soldier-athletes.
“We have all been tirelessly working for this momentous event. We are able to lay down the joint operational guidelines for our troops who will be deployed,” Clement said.
“Similarly, our soldiers have relentlessly trained for their various events. These are clear indications of our strong will and desire for a safe and successful conduct of the Games,” he added. (Martin Sadongdong)
