PSG men happy to serve Pope Francis

MANILA, Philippines - Overwhelmed with happiness.

This was how some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG), who were assigned to provide stringent security to Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature, described the feeling during the past four days of the pontiff's five-day pastoral journey in the Philippines.

"Just like how you feel, we are happy that we have a close encounter with him," a PSG officer told The Star on Saturday.

The Pope blessed his security team after he met with them briefly on Friday before the convoy went to SM MOA Arena for the meeting with families. One by one, the team's members also got to kiss the Pope's ring at the Apostolic Nunciature grounds.

"Masayang masaya," another one remarked as the Pope reportedly entertained some guests in private at his official residence.

Some even bought rosaries from vendors to have them blessed by the pope.

The PSG team were dubbed as "men in black", along with their counterparts from the Vatican.

"We are honored," another PSG man said, without revealing his name and the number of their strength to avoid security breach.

Asked how they feel about the Pope's security, another told this reporter: "Just say, we are paranoid."

"We don't want anything to happen to him," the PSG officer said.

Officers said they are wary about the Pope's security because the country would look bad if something untoward would happen to the pope.

"Kahit magasgasan ayaw namin mangyari sa kanya," he added. "Maapektuhan ang bansa, baka pati ekonomiya."

Another said it will be a big embarrassment  if the Pope is hurt or anything. "The world is watching, we dont want to take our chances."

Some members of the Papal security team admitted being worried upon seeing the thick number of people who came to see the pope at the North Luzon Expressway's Skyway enroute from the airport after his Tacloban mass.

A devout Catholic, who is a member of the PNP Highway Patrol Group, said seeing the Pope in flesh bolstered his faith to the Lord.

"Hindi man ako nakakasimba palagi, masasabi ko na isa ito malaki kong serbisyo na sa Simbahan," he said.

"This is my service to my country and my Church," he added. He also admitted that he was crying as he led the Papal convoy upon the pope's arrival last Thursday evening.

Another member of the motorcycle escort team said: "Even if I am now from another religion, I am touched by his presence."

The officers declined to give their names for security reasons.

Members of the papal security team were able to take a longer break after the pope cut short his trip in Tacloban City.

They parked their motorcycles and patrol cars at one side of the Quirino Avenue across the papal residence.

Some took time to have their late lunch, others were on their mobile phones while some took time off to smoke.