DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the Philippines hosting for 2019, adding that Foreign Affairs Secretary Mr Alan Peter Cayetano will serve as Head of the Organizing Committee.
This development comes after Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez announced on July 21st that the country was withdrawing as host of the biennial meet. The PSC cited the current situation in Mindanao and the "problem of terrorism and atrocities as the reasons for no longer pushing through with the hosting of the biennial event."
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Chairman Ramirez added that the resources for the hosting will instead be used for the rehabilitation and re-building conflict-hit areas in Marawi.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law throughout Mindanao on May 23rd following the clashes between government forces and the Maute group in Marawi.
Clashes between the army and militants linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) have taken place in Marawi city of over 200,000 people for more than two months, claiming more than 550 lives.
Brunei was selected to host the 30th SEA Games on July 18th, 2012. However, on June 4th, 2015, Brunei withdrew its hosting rights at the meeting of the SEA Games Federation Council after its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports failed to give support for the tournament.
The withdrawal of Brunei's hosting rights was also due to the country's lack of sporting facilities, accommodation, and preparation of their athletes.
On July 10th, 2015, the Philippine Olympic Committee announced that it will be hosting the Games in the capital Manila, after the post was begged off by two other countries. The country last hosted the biennial meet in 2005, when it emerged as the overall champion pocketing 113 golds.
In the 2015 Games held in Singapore, the Philippines grabbed the sixth spot and took home 29 golds./.