No threat to pope, but gov’t watching 4 groups

MANILA, Philippines - Police intelligence agents have not monitored any threats to Pope Francis, who is scheduled to visit the Philippines next month, but military intelligence agents are monitoring at least four groups capable of harming the pope.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said yesterday “there are no threats” monitored by police officers, except for that posed by the New People’s Army (NPA).

He issued the statement following an announcement by Central Command spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Jim Alagao that the NPA may pose a threat during the pope’s visit in Cebu and Leyte.

Valmoria said no major problem has cropped up in their security preparations, particularly for a mass at the Quirino Grandstand that the pope will officiate.

The Catholic Church said it is expecting six million devotees to attend the mass.

Meanwhile, the military intelligence community is watching the NPA, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the emerging terror group Khalifa Islamiya Mindanao and the Abu Sayyaf.

“We have been preparing for this for several months now, with our efforts focused on any possible plot coming from any of these threat groups against the pope,” a source privy to the security preparations said.

On the other hand, the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies said the government must also look out for “lone wolves,” individuals who could have embraced the teachings for Muslim fundamentalists and be plotting on their own to harm the pope.

Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Domingo Tutaan Jr. said the military is “war gaming,” using “scenario-building tabletop exercises” to check for loopholes in the government’s security measures for the papal visit.

He declined to say what threats are being addressed during the exercises.