SBMA Administrator Armand Arreza assures the public that the agency has been taking the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of everyone throughout the Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 meet.
The recent bombing in Bali, Indonesia where at least 19 people were killed and 120 wounded, raised concerns on the security measures being prepared by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) for the region’s biggest sports spectacle.
"We have already mobilized our rescue, emergency and security personnel to conduct a series of studies, dry runs and consultations, not only within SBMA but with other government agencies as well to ensure that we meet the more demanding security requirements of an international sports competition like the SEA Games," Arreza said.
During the weekly SBMA SEA Games Inter-department coordination meeting, Law Enforcement Department (LED) manager Col. Jaime Calunsag reported that security officers and personnel are now undergoing various training courses related to security preparedness, in addition to anti-terror exercises.
"We have ongoing and scheduled trainings of LED security officers and have already initiated the procurement of necessary logistical requirements such as patrol vehicles, outboard motors for our patrol crafts, handheld metal detectors, and other paraphernalia," Calunsag said.
The SBMA LED also happened to be the same group which provided security during the 4th APEC Leaders Summit held at the former American base in 1996.
It is currently going through extensive training in emergency vehicle operations, customer service, security supervision and crowd control training, as well as anti-terrorism courses that include bomb threat handling and response procedures.
The LED is also the nerve center of the SBMA 911 Emergency Response System, which also includes the SBMA fire department and health and safety group.
Security is one of the strongest selling points of SBMA, a factor a lot of investors cite as one of the primary reasons for their decision to locate their businesses at the Freeport.
Around 500 athletes and officials from 10 countries are expected in the SBMA where the events of archery, canoe/kayak, sailing and triathlon will be held.
Meanwhile, SBMA LED Operations Chief Maj. Angelito Barcelon noted that the department, under the supervision of Colonel Calunsag, has already prepared the Security Implementation Plan for the meet which will be executed in coordination with the Philsoc and the SEAG-PNP Sub-Task Group SBMA.
The plan covers traffic, escort services, venue security and police visibility, crowd control, Freeport gate security, billeting area security, sanitation by K-9 units and harbor patrol security.
