Metro cops begin securing ‘Families’

Police have begun securing all entry and exit points of the metropolis to prevent elements of the New People’s Army (NPA) as well as terrorist and criminal groups from staging attacks during the 4th World Meeting of Families.

As local and foreign delegates begin arriving for the five-day event from Jan. 22 to 26, Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco called for maximum security coverage in areas where activities will be held.

He created Task Force "Bantay Pamilya" to see to it that the thousands of participants are protected from possible threats.

Tapped to head the task force were Western Police District director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, for the west portion, and Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Jose Gutierrez for the south portion.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. directed Chief Superintendent Jesus Versoza to head the "Task Group Airport" and Maritime Group head Chief Superintendent George Aliño to head "Task Force Harbor."

Velasco said local and foreign delegates are slated to arrive in Metro Manila through the following points of entry: North Piers 2 and 12, the Manila Domestic Airport and the Centennial Terminal for delegates from Mindanao, Visayas and Palawan. Most of those coming from northern and southern Luzon and Leyte will be arriving on board passenger buses and jeepneys.

Some 6,000 delegates from 130 countries, representing Catholic dioceses, Episcopal conference, pro-life and pro-family movements and organizations worldwide, are expected to participate in the event.

600 youth marshals

The city government of Manila has tapped some 600 youth volunteers to act as marshals for the five-day World Meeting of Families from Jan. 22 to 26.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza said youth volunteers have undergone orientation and training sessions last week.

He said they would be supervised and mobilized by a working committee, composed of Manila Sanguniang Kabataan chairman and youth sector representative to the City Council Francesca Marie Gernale, Manila Sports Council chairman Alie Atienza and Manila Youth Bureau director Jason Valencia.

"We Manileños have an important stake in the success of this event not only because Manila is the host-city, but more importantly, because we have a firm commitment to strengthen families as the fabric that holds together our society," the mayor said.

Among the activities where the youth would be tapped as marshals are the Festive Meeting with Testimonies from Families on Jan. 25 and the Closing Mass the following day, both at the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park.

Meanwhile, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar called on Filipino families to support the World Meeting of Families, citing the need for Filipino families to strengthen the relationship especially in the face of increasing number of broken families due to poverty, domestic violence, sexual abuses and irresponsible parenthood.

The lady solon stressed that the family, being the basic core of society, mirrors the direction a nation takes.

"The family is under attack. There is so much negative and undesirable things happening in every Filipino home. It is time for us to reflect on what our families and our values have become through these years," she said.

"The choice of the Philippines as the host country for the event, is very symbolic because the whole world is watching us on how we treasure our family in spite of everything. We should feel proud about this undertaking." – With Cecille Suerte Felipe