PRO-8: Pope visit security preps set, Archdiocese accredits 500 journalists

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines – Newly-installed regional director, Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina of the Police Regional Office-8, had assured the public that security preparations are now in place for the visit of Pope Francis in Leyte on January 17.

Dolina said at least 7,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the pope, about 5,000 of them will come from the PNP national headquarters to augment the 2,000-police force in the region.

Aside from the augmentation, PRO-8 is now also coordinating closely with the Philippine Army in Eastern Visayas, which promised to deploy one battalion of soldiers to help the police secure the places to be visited by the Pontiff, he said.

While security preparations are now in place, Dolina also called on the public to support the authorities in making the pope’s visit safe, memorable, meaningful and successful. The rehearsal of the clustered security groups will be on January 11 when the different security groups including the Presidential Security Group, arrive in Leyte.

Monsignor Alex Opiniano, parish priest of the Sto. Niño Church in Tacloban City, also asked for support from the public and not rely on the security provided by the authorities, because Pope Francis is not only the head of the Catholic Church but also a head of the state, which is Vatican.

On January 16, after the last flight at the DZR airport, the rerouting will officially be implemented, with the roads from the airport in San Jose down to Marasbaras in Tacloban and then to Palo temporarily closed to motorists for the papal mass.

The Palo Archdiocese earlier said it is expecting about 160,000 pilgrims to attend the papal mass, and that all public schools in Palo and Tacloban will be used as their quarters during the visit.

Reverend Father Amadeo Alvero, communications director of the Palo Archdiocese, told reporters that—during the luncheon of the pope with the 30 victims of Yolanda in Eastern Visayas and the earthquake in Bohol—roasted pig (lechon) will be served, as part of a Filipino tradition.

Alvero however was uncertain yet on the other menu to be served for the pope, adding that the Vatican guards insisted that the luncheon itinerary will remain as private as possible, as suggested by the Pontiff himself.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Palo has accredited 500 Manila-based and local journalists who will cover the papal visit.

Father Chris Arthur Militante, archdiocese information and social communications officer, said the number of media practitioners listed by the local committee is on top of those accredited by the national committee.

Around 300 of these journalists (250 national media and 50 local media) will be allowed to enter the airport to cover the celebration, 75 others (15 locals) will cover the pope’s visit to the Palo Cathedral, 150 journalists (50 locals) will go with the motorcade, and 80 journalists will be at the blessing of the Pope Francis Center for the Poor intended for orphans.

No journalist will however be allowed to cover the luncheon of the pope, although big media outlets in Metro Manila have been lobbying for letting their reporters into the dining room, said Militante. —Miriam Garcia Desacada with wire reports