CAPAS, Tarlac — A total of 8,000-strong policemen will secure the South East Asian Games venues in November.
Police Brig. General Joel Napoleon Coronel, director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) stationed in Camp Olivas, said security plans have been mapped out to ensure the safety of athletes, delegates and tourists during the sporting event to be held at the New Clark City here.
“More than the security, our main concern is the traffic,” said Coronel, adding that no fresh threats from the local communist or any groups have reached the organizing committee,” Coronel pointed out.
Coronel said that ground works have been laid to ensure the safety of delegates from member-countries attending the biennial meet.
“We are working closely with the BCDA and the organizing committee and the LGU of Capas. Our planning includes AFP and intelligence agencies, including the NBI in order to provide comprehensive security,” Coronel said.
Coronel on Thursday, July 11, paid a courtesy call to Capas Mayor Reynaldo Catacutan to discuss preparations for the event.
He said there are 52 game venues in the region including Clark, Subic and Bataan. Their concentration is in Capas where most of the athletics and aquatics games will be held.
He estimates that some 100,000 attendees comprising of athletes, officials, spectators and guests will be coming to the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas.
The 30th SEAG will be held in various locations in Central Luzon, with the NCC serving as main venue with its 20,000-seater stadium and Finaa standard Aquatic Center. Both are undergoing final stages of completion and would serve as main attractions in the regional sporting meet.
Aside from NCC, other locations include the Philippine Arena in Bulacan for the opening ceremonies.
For his part, Catacutan said: “Capas is very much ready in hosting the SEA Games considering that all roads leading to the sports city of the Philippines will be turned over by October 15, including the stadium and aquatics center,” Catacutan said in an interview.