PNP deploying at least 20,000 cops for SEA Games

November 11, 2019

The number of cops to be deployed for the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games will reach at least 20,000, according to the Philippine National Police ( PNP).

In a press briefing, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP’s officer-in-charge, said they are “putting their best foot forward for the regional sporting event”.

“A total of 20,000 personnel from different government agencies will provide security and safety services to over 10,000 athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore and Vietnam who will participate in 56 sporting events,” said Gamboa.

Based on PNP’s data, 18, 105 cops will came from Metro Manila; 6, 554 from Central Luzon; 1,865 from Southern Luzon; and 916 from La Union.

The total deployment will be around 27, 440 PNP personnel higher from the 15,000 they mentioned last September.

Gamboa said they have been preparing for the event since last year and they have not received any threats so far.

“We continue to rehearse and fine-tune all our systems and procedures for this event, such that we have established full back-up system that will address any unforeseen situation that may arise,” he said.

“The PNP contingent will also provide security coverage in the different venues of engagement of the athletes while the other PNP units will provide public safety assistance necessary for order maintenance and police services for crowd control, vehicular and pedestrian traffic direction, route, parking, and venue security,” he added.

The 30th SEA Games is hosted by the Philippines and will begin on November 30.  Ella Dionisio/DMS