MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will strengthen its security for the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games especially at basketball and soccer games venues.

This is due to the fact that when carried away in competition, both fans and players could get carried away and start trouble.

According to Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), he has given instructions to ground commanders to assure police readiness to guard the venues in the two sports events.

Basketball games will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City while football games will be held at the Rizal Memorial football stadium in Manila.

Sinas further explained that in addition to regular police presence, they would also deploy anti-riot cops in such areas as a precautionary measure in unforeseen circumstances.

Aside from having enough personnel to deal with the unexpected riots, they will also enforce restrictions on things that can be used to harass players and fans such as cans of soft drinks that can be thrown away during the game.

Likewise, sharp objects and other deadly weapons shall be prohibited in such places, also posters or other cheering materials containing racist and insulting words.

Sinas said that police are ready for the event and that they would assign about 17,000 police force to various sports venues and hotels where delegates were checked in. (Marian Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)