Philippines will host 2019 SEA Games after all

August 17, 2017 - 8:25 PM
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Philippine Navy personnel prevent the giant flag from touching the ground at the start of celebrations on Sunday (May 28) for the National Flag Days 2017 and celebration of the victory in the 1898 Battle of Alapan in Imus, Cavite (PNA photo by Avito C.Dalan)

The Philippines is back as host of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

That after Philippine sports officials had a change of heart following their announcement last July that the country would no longer host the biennial games to give way to the rehabilitation of conflict-stricken Marawi.

In contrast to the original plan of staging the event in Davao, organizers are looking at Zambales, Pampanga and Bulacan as possible host cities.

Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano was appointed as the SEA Games Organizing Committee Chairman.

This will mark the fourth time that the Philippines will serve as host of the regional games. The country last staged the event in 2005.