PRO-7 security team now in Tacloban City

CEBU, Philippines - A security contingent from Police Regional Office-7 is now in Tacloban City to help secure Pope Francis next week.

The 400 policemen came from the Regional Public Safety Battalion –7. The team was led by no less than RPSB-7 commander, Supt. Clifford Gairanod.

Gairanod said they departed from their headquarters in Sibonga around 12 a.m. yesterday and arrived in Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base at 2 a.m.

They were supposed to leave by 3 a.m. but the schedule was delayed.

Gairanod said they were transported in groups via the C130 transport plane of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Around 122 policemen including Gairanod were the first batch among the 400 police officers to leave Cebu around 4:45 a.m. yesterday. They arrived in Tacloban City at 5:50 a.m.

The second batch which was composed of 87 RPSB-7 personnel left Cebu around 4 p.m. yesterday while the remaining 191 policemen were transported to Tacloban City last night. They arrived in Tacloban City wearing their combat uniforms but may possibly wear their general office attire on the day Pope Francis arrives.

They are temporarily billeted at the Leyte Academic Center in Palo, Leyte.

“Sa ngayon, inaayos na lang ang hihigaan namin. Aside sa sleeping bags, naghahanap din kami ng karton para mahigaan,” Gairanod said last night.

He added that they are also buying water and other necessities that they will use during their 10-day stay. Some of his personnel are also conducting survey in the area.

Gairanod said that the night before, they already shipped their provisions such as food and cooking utensils and five of their vehicles that they could use for transportation on their way back.

They have also brought their search and rescue uniform along with their equipment when the need arises.

While they are prohibited to carry their firearms during the route security, they also brought armaments and long firearms along with them in case of any contingency or engagement with rebels in the area.

Gairanod said that among the difficulties they encountered were the lack of facilities and the availability of the C130 plane to accommodate other policemen and military members from all over the country.

Gairanod added that aside from them, civilians and K9 units also occupied the C130 transport plane.

He said that the gymnasium are also occupied by those who are practicing for the arrival of Pope Francis while the schools where they are supposed to stay are still holding classes until now.

Gairanod shared that they are excited since they shall finally see Pope Francis but added that they are also sad since they could not participate in the celebration of Sinulog Festival in Cebu that will coincide with the papal visit.

He further noted that despite the challenges, they remain vigilant and assured the safety of Pope Francis during his visit.

A dry-run for the papal visit may also be held this afternoon or tomorrow morning. The entire police force will be in full alert status on Monday for the papal visit.

The RPSB-7 troop is tasked to provide route security where the Pope will pass from Palo, Leyte to Tacloban City.

Gairanod earlier said that they are fully prepared after the intensive training they have undertaken for the past months which included close quarter battle, route security, search and rescue, crowd dispersal management, and immediate action drills like engagement and ambush.

About half of the 400 policemen were part of the RPSB-7 personnel who were sent to augment the Zamboanga City police force during the Zamboanga siege in 2013. The troop shall return to Cebu on January 20. (FREEMAN)