Iniurong ng pamahalaan ang nakatakdang pagiging punong-abala ng bansa para sa 2019 Southeast Asian (SEAG) Games dahil na rin sa kasalukuyang krisis na nangyayari ngayon sa Mindanao dulot ng terorismo.

Mismong si Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez ang nagpahayag ng nasabing pag-urong ng bansa sa Sea Games hosting noong Biyernes ng hapon.

Sa kanyang liham na may petsang Hulyo 21 kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), president Jose Cojuangco , sinabi ni Ramirez ang desisyon ng gobyerno.

Goodbye PBA? John Amores, tinanggalan na ng professional license!

“The Government accepted the chairmanship of the ASEAN 2017 to be world’s partner of change with great enthusiasm and eagerness. It is in the manner it showed interest in hosting the 2019 30th SEA Games.”

“However, due to the current situation in Mindanao and the problem of terrorism and atrocities, we regret to inform you that we will no longer pushed through with the hosting of the biennial meet. It has been resolved, that Government resources be focused in the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Mindanao specially Marawi,” nkasaad sa liham.

Gayunman, tiniyak naman ng pamahalaan ang suporta sa gagawing pagkampanya ng mga national athletes sa darating na Sea Games sa Malaysia sa susunod na buwan at sa iba pang mga international tournaments. “ Rest assured that we would always support our national athletes in their quest medals and honors in the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur this August until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.”

“Further, when all is clear and peace and order had improved after 2020 Olympics and the future, we are positive and willing to host the SEA Games or any other international sporting events,”ayon pa sa PSC chief.

Ang nasabing hosting ay inako lamang ng Pilipinas nang umurong ang orihinal na hot nitong Brunei.

Dahil dito, inaasahan ang muling pagpupulong ng pamunuan ng Sea Games upang humanap ng posibleng sumalo naman sa pag-urong ng Pilipinas.