STAY ON YOUR TOES, FORCES SECURING FIBA WORLD CUP TOLD
AFTER a peaceful opening of the 19th FIBA Basketball World Cup on Friday, Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. reminded the national police and the rest of security forces that the job is not done yet.
As he lauded the security forces deployed in three basketball venues, Abalos said that the visiting players and staff from different countries are still in the country hence they should be secured until the duration of their stay in the Philippines.
“Binabati ko ang ating kapulisan at ang lahat ng mga security forces sa maayos at payapang pagbubukas ng FIBA World Cup 2023. Inaasahan ko na mananatili kayong nakatutok sa FIBA hanggang matapos ang mga laro at makaalis ang pinakahuling atleta,” he stressed.
Likewise, the DILG chief made an assurance that security-wise, all hotels where the athletes are billeted are all fully covered along with the game and practice venues to include the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, Ultra in Pasig City and the Ninoy Aquino stadium in Manila.
President Marcos led the opening ceremonies at the vast Philippine Arena followed by a photoshoot with Team Gilas Pilipinas and FIBA officials before a world-record breaking attendance of basketball-crazy fans who trooped to the stadium to watch this once-in-a-life time biggest (basketball) event.
In a report to Abalos, the PNP said that a total of 2,589 officers from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were deployed from the time the different teams arrived in August 20 and during the Friday opening ceremonies along with 363 officers from the Police Regional Office 3 and 2,904 personnel from other government agencies and force multipliers in strategic areas around the three venues.
The opening ceremonies in the Philippine Arena gathered a world-record breaking 39,113 attendance.
Traffic condition was moderate making it easy for the 195 buses and 750 cars to get into the game schedule especially to the much-awaited appearance of our very own Gilas Pilipinas against a Karl Anthony Towns-led Dominican Republic team.
Although Gilas fell short of getting a win, President Marcos said that the tightly-fought game was a real proof that the Filipinos can compete in the world level.
Aside from the PNP, Abalos also commended the other security personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Red Cross, Department of Health, Department of Public Works and Highways, Metro Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, and other force multipliers.
In relation to the event, President Marcos has issued Administrative Order No. 5, ordering the creation of an inter-agency task force to streamline all government efforts for a successful FIBA World Cup.
