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NCRPO deploys Muslim cops in SEA Games venues, billeting areas
SECURING MUSLIM ATHLETES. The NCRPO on Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2019) says it will deploy Muslim police officers to secure Muslim athletes participating in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games).
A pair of Muslim police officers will be deployed to secure the venues of the sporting event and billeting areas. (PNA photo by Lloyd Caliwan)
MANILA — To promote cultural sensitivity towards Muslim athletes, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Tuesday said it will deploy Muslim police officers in various events of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
NCRPO chief, Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said he made the decision to deploying Muslim cops following continuous dialogues with organizers who mentioned such requests from delegates from Islamic countries.
He said aside from the sports venues, the Muslim cops will also be deployed in billeting areas of the athletes.
Among the predominantly Muslim countries participating in the biennial sporting event are Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
“This is in response to the Muslim in Metro Manila and practice cultural sensitivity. Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), they will be deployed and will be wearing Muslim attires (head gear or called tagiyah for male while for female wearing traditional Arabian garb such as the hijab and the jilbab is also commonly worn). At least, (if) additional Muslim people are deployed, they are knowledgeable of the faith and have a good command of English. This is (to enhance) cultural sensitivity towards them,” Sinas told reporters during the press briefing held at Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 10 on Tuesday.
A pair of Muslim police officers, one male and one female, will assist players from Muslim countries as well as the spectators during daytime while another pair consisting of two male police officers will be on duty at night.
Sinas said as of Tuesday, a total of 3,685 delegates arrived who are billeted in 34 hotels and will be playing in 19 venues.
A total of 17,734 security personnel from several law enforcement agencies of the government will be deployed in Metro Manila alone where several games will be held and athletes from Asean-member states will be billeted.
Over 10,000 athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore, and Vietnam will participate in 543 sports events.
