DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/22 April) – At least 3,866 military and police personnel will be deployed during the 62nd Palarong Pambansa (National Games), the country’s biggest local sporting event, from April 27 to May 4 in Davao City, according to Public Safety and Security Command Center head Angel Sumagaysay.
The multipurpose building of the Davao City-University of the Philippines (UP) Sports Complex’s Football Stadium in Mintal, Davao City in a photo taken 2 January 2018. Geared towards hosting international competitions, the football pitch has been installed with an artificial turf and is slated to undergo FIFA certification. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
Sumagaysay said in an interview the security plan had already been prepared weeks ahead of the annual multi-sport event involving student-athletes from 17 regions of the Philippines, which would draw a crowd of around 20,000.
He expressed confidence that everything is all set for the hosting of the Palaro, the city’s second since 1950, given the yearlong preparations for the event.
In 2015, Tagum City in Davao del Norte hosted the 58th edition of the national games.
“It’s ready for implementation. Everything has been set. All the security components are already aware of it,” Sumagaysay said.
He said the Police Regional Office 11 and the military’s 103rd Infantry Brigade would provide augmentation to strengthen the security setup here during the Palaro.
He said they expect most of the delegates to arrive days before the event.
He added the local government would install high definition CCTVs in all the playing venues at the 20-hectare world-class Davao City-University of the Philippines Sports Complex in the UP-Mindanao campus in Tugbok.
Sumagaysay said the security plan for the 26 billeting quarters and 32 playing venues has been laid out already.
“We have assigned security in every billeting quarter and playing venues where security team leaders would be assigned,” he said.
He assured delegates that the Davao City Central 911, City Health Office and City Social Services and Development Office would be deployed to attend to their concerns.
“Sa lahat mga participants (to all the participants), welcome to Davao City. Enjoy your stay. You have your partners here. Kung alone ka, ikaw lang isa, (If you are alone) you have a big brother. Just call 911,” he said.
From January 27 to February 2, 2019, the city also hosted the Davao Regional Athletic Association Meet held at the sports complex here. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
