Upcoming Philippine National Games anchored on peace: Official

The Philippine "Palarong Pambansa (National Games)" to be held in southern province of Davao del Norte this year is anchored on the peace theme, a senior government official said Friday.

With the theme, "Breaking Borders, Building Peace," the Department of Education (DepEd) and the partner local government unit aim to highlight the importance of sports and solidarity in pursuing and inculcating peace among young Filipinos, said Education Secretary Armin Luistro.

"Davao del Norte is known not only for promoting peace and development within their region but of the whole of Mindanao. That is why when people ask, 'Is it safe to do the games in Mindanao,' we answer, 'Why not?' ," he said.

The Philippine government has been engaging a Muslim rebel group in southern Philippines in a peace process with the hope to attain lasting peace in the troubled island.

The Palarong Pambansa to be held in May houses thousands of student athletes participating in various sporting events.

Host region Davao del Norte will be providing the facilities for the events, the billeting quarters for the sports officials and technical staff, and the transportation of all participants, among other things.

"This event is a perfect avenue to promote peace. There is no other perfect way to do that but through sports, where most of our student athletes will live out and dialogue with other players, not necessarily through words but through deeds, gestures, and actions which show that peace is possible, that peace is here and now," Luistro added. Endi