Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — The Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that the Philippines will host the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

DFA Spokesperson Robespierre Bolivar said that President Rodrigo Duterte "approved the PH hosting for 2019."

Bolivar added that Foreign Affairs Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano will serve as chairman of the organizing committee for the hosting of the 30th SEA Games.

This development comes after Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Butch Ramirez announced on July 21 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 sporting event.

Ramirez added that the resources for the hosting will instead be used for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Mindanao specially Marawi.

On July 18, 2012, Brunei was selected to host the 30th SEA Games, however, on June 4, 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 were also due to the country's lack of sporting facilities, accommodation, and preparation of their athletes.

On July 10, 2015, the POC announced that the Philippines will be hosting the games and it will be staged in Manila. The country last hosted the biennial meet in 2005.

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