5,000 cops for Task Force Pacquiao

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy at least 5,000 policemen to secure the route for boxer Manny Pacquiao and his party on Jan. 27, from their arrival at the airport to the ticker tape parade around Metro Manila.

"We are bracing for the hero’s welcome for Pacquiao," said Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol, adding that he expects a huge crowd to troop to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to welcome the boxer.

Querol created Task Force Pacquiao to see to it that the arrival of the Filipino fighter would be orderly and peaceful. Named to head the task force was Chief Superintendent Napoleon Cachuela, the NCRPO’s deputy chief for operations.

Working under Cachuela are elements of the NCRPO’s Traffic Enforcement Group (TEG) under Senior Superintendent Philmore Balmaceda, who will secure the route for the arrival and parade.

Querol also directed Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), to place his men on standby status and take over security if a ticker-parade is held on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

"We are ready for his arrival and the parade that will follow," said Querol, as he warned criminal elements not to take advantage of the situation.

Pacquiao demolished Mexican Erik Morales in 10 rounds in their Las Vegas bout last Sunday.

Initial reports indicated that the boxer and his party would be returning to the country on Jan. 27.

Querol said his office would coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other government agencies in welcoming Pacquiao and his party.

Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., NCRPO intelligence chief, reported zero crime incidents and accidents from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when most Filipinos were watching the Pacquiao-Morales fight.

"Halos walang tao sa kalye kaya’t walang aksidente. Ang mga kriminal naman ay nanood din kaya’t zero crime incidents tayo habang nagpapalitan ng suntok sina Pacquiao at Morales," Rojas said.

Querol also dispatched additional patrols along nightspots in Metro Manila to prevent any untoward incidents as Filipinos celebrated Pacquiao’s victory the other night.

"We received no report of untoward incidents during the celebrations because our policemen were already stationed at nightspots," he said.