Can Philippines protect Pope Francis in 2015?

MANILA, Philippines - If security experts in the Philippines foiled an assassination plot against Pope John Paul II in 1995, can they do it again in 2015?

Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, believes the country is more capable now to secure the head of the Roman Catholic church.

The security expert does not deny, however, that there is a new, valid threat on Pope Francis' life after a terror plot against him by extremist organization Islamic State (IS) has been bared by a top Iraqi diplomat last month.

"On the Pope's security [while in the Philippines], we shall not be complacent," Banlaoi said in a security forum on Thursday.

He said the Catholic leader as a prominent figure in a perceived religious war has reportedly been a subject of a fatwa declared by the IS, which recently gained supporters among extremist groups in Mindanao.

Banlaoi urged security forces to adapt to new resources invested in by the government to thwart any threat against Pope Francis.

"Are we prepared? We have undertaken capacity building programs ... we just have to build our skills in order to secure the Pope," he said.

Millions in the Catholic stronghold are expected to gather in January for the Pope's four-day visit in Manila and typhoon-ravaged areas in the Visayas as did Saint John Paul II's youth gathering in Manila in 1995 which attracted the largest papal audience in history.

Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said that it is not mainly a possible sabotage by armed groups that worry troops but the thick crowds who might mob the Pope.

"There is no such threat [from armed groups]. Our concern is he might be mobbed by the devotees ... People like him very much," Catapang had said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines has also denied reports of the presence of IS in the country.

President Aquino said in New York last week that security forces are asked to strengthen plans to protect Pope Francis.

"I want to see them double the effort especially for the head of the Holy Mother Church. There shouldn't be any incident while he's in our country," Aquino said.