RETIRED track star Elma Muros Posadas and her husband Jojo were among six coaches evacuated from Marawi City Wednesday following Tuesday’s siege of the place by the Maute rebel group, Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez confirmed.
National Training Director Marc Velasco invited the six national coaches there for a five-day clinic and seminars involving local coaches and young athletes. The activities at the Mindanao State University, however, were cut short.
“They’re safe. They have been evacuated from Marawi to Iligan,” said Fernandez.
Reports revealed that rebels occupied a portion of the school premises, which also served as the billeting area of the coaches and Philippine Sports Commission personnel that joined them.
Muros-Posadas and the coaches joined Philippine Sports Institute assistant director Henry Daut in the trip to Marawi City.
Velasco is currently monitoring the arrival of the contingent to Manila.
President Rodrigo Duterte has declared Martial Law for 60 days in Mindanao following the siege.
In Davao City, PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said the Mindanao Children’s Games 2017 will go on as scheduled.
It is scheduled to open today at the Rizal Park of Davao City and culminate on Saturday.
Ramirez said this during the opening ceremonies of the Barangay Sports Education Lecture Series.
The one-day seminar for barangay sports leaders was a prologue to the Mindanao Children’s Games 2017.
“This is aimed not only to encourage interest in sports for health but also to foster peace,” said Ramirez.
The project is under the Sports for Peace program of the PSC, which is very timely given the present security problems in Mindanao, according to agency officials.
Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte informed the PSC that they have heightened security measures for the city.
But she affirmed that the Children’s Games will push through.