RP puts 15,000 cops, troops on alert

A security task force composed of 15,000 police and soldiers will be on duty to thwart terrorist attacks and other threats when the Philippines hosts the 23rd Southeast Asian Games next month, organizers said Tuesday.

Authorities will not be leaving anything to chance when 5,000 athletes from 10 countries converge in Manila and in other parts of the Philippines amid reports that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) bombers could carry out suicide bombings, they said.

"They will be chaperoned by security," whenever the athletes go to functions and events, said Jose Cojuangco, chairman of the organizing committee and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

"We are doing pretty well in terms of security," he told foreign correspondents, stressing that local intelligence officials will also be working closely with others from the region in the wake of the recent Bali bomb attacks that left at least 20 dead.

Regional intelligence officials said they believe at least two ranking JI leaders have been hiding out in the southern Philippines, including Dulmatin. The US government last week offered a $10-million reward for any information leading to the capture of the militant.

National police director Rodolfo Tor, the games security chief, said police units in areas outside Manila where there will be scheduled events have also been put on heightened alert.

"There will be 15,000 policemen and other force multipliers" from the armed forces, he said.

"We are aware of what’s happening in the region," Tor said, referring to the Bali attacks. "We have ample intelligence units who will be assisting us in monitoring these terrorist targets."

This year’s games, to be held in five venues across the Philippines, is the biggest in terms of the number of disciplines, organizers said.

A total of 441 gold medals will be up for grabs in 41 events, with the Philippine martial arts arnis as well as ballroom dancing making their SEA Games debuts as medal events.

The Philippines, which has hosted the games twice in the past, is expecting a minimum of 107 gold medals this year and hoping to become the overall champion. It however faces tough competition from traditional powerhouses Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore are the other federation members. (AFP)