Bacolod boosts security for FIBA U18 women’s qualifiers

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office has deployed 369 personnel to secure the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup Southeast Asia Basketball Association Qualifiers 2026 from June 1 to 7.

The tournament brings together youth national teams and delegates from the Philippines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Bacolod City was recently selected to host the international tournament, which is part of the qualification pathway for the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup.

The event is being staged through the collaboration of the city government, FIBA, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Mayor Greg Gasataya earlier said the event gives Bacolod an opportunity to showcase its capacity to host major sporting competitions.

Of the deployed police personnel, 36 officers were assigned to secure the tournament venue at STI West Negros University.

The police office also assigned 24 personnel to billeting hotels and 30 officers to the Bacolod City Government Center.

To strengthen anti-criminality operations, 215 personnel were designated for patrol operations, traffic management, foot patrols, and other security functions.

The deployment also includes eight marshals, 16 quick response team members, 32 border security personnel, and eight officers assigned to bus security.

Around 300 delegates are expected to participate in the tournament.

Teams from Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines arrived Monday at Bacolod-Silay Airport in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

They were welcomed by performers from Bacolod’s MassKara Festival, the city’s signature cultural celebration.

Gasataya said hosting the tournament aligns with the city’s broader push to promote sports tourism and regional development.

The SEABA under-18 women’s competition is held under FIBA Asia’s Southeast Asia subzone, with winners advancing to the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup.