PALARO DEFIES MILF ATTACKS

Manila, May 7, 2003 -- Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain is 

satisfied with the preparations being done by Tubod, Lanao del Norte 

officials who recently called on their provincemates to ensure the Palarong 

Pambansa's success and rebuild the province's image sullied by threats of 

aggression.

Buhain, speaking in yesterday's PSA Forum at the Manila Pavilion, said he 

was "awed by the manner people of Tubod reacted to calls by local leaders 

to make this year's Games as one of the best Palarong Pambansa" despite a 

recent isolated conflict which the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the 

Philippine National Police quickly addressed.

"Kahit kami nabigla," Buhain said. "In just one week since we announced the 

Palaro will push through on May 18-25, volunteers have lined up at the 

offices of Gov. Imelda Dimaporo and Cong. Bobby Dimaporo. They will be 

known as the 'smiling faces of Mindanao,' a facet of the region which we 

should know about.

"This time, baka makalimutan na natin ang ugly images of Mindanao as 

portrayed in the local and international media," Buhain added. "Marami pa 

tayong hindi alam about Tubod, in particular and Mindanao, in general. 

Their hospitality is incredible, and through the Palaro, we could see 

Mindanao's good image rise again."

The Dimaporos, according to Buhain, called on the Lanao people's spirit of 

volunteerism to make the Palaro work as an instrument to show the 

province's best face to the rest of the Philippines.

"The Dimaporos are very proud of their volunteers," Buhain said. "Even the 

Lanao folk don't want their province's image tarnished by that isolated 

conflict. Many of them showed up to make Lanao's hosting of the Games a 

success."

The PSC leader is set to leave for Tubod to check on the Games' venue, 

which Gov. Dimaporo recently assured is being spruced up.

Some delegates have already arrived in Tubod. Other regional sports leaders 

have also inquired to Buhain about the number of participants, with most of 

them expressing their support to the games.

"After assessing the situation with the local leaders, and officials of the 

AFP and the PNP, we believe security is no longer a concern for us," Buhain 

said. "The military is present in the area and our focus should be in the 

competition while we leave the AFP and PNP to address other concerns, like 

crowd control and security of the participants.

"Basta ito, tuloy na tuloy na," Buhain said.