ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - Police authorities will implement tight security and impose a full alert status when Papal Nuncio Guiseppi Pinto, Vatican representative to the Philippines, install on Wednesday the new archbishop of this city, according to officials.
This as the city welcomed the installation of Bishop Romulo dela Cruz, who was elected by the Vatican to succeed the diocese after Bishop Romulo Valles was designated to Davao City and left the post vacant for two years.
Chief Inspector Ariel Huesca, spokesman of the City Police Office and commander of the city mobile company, said traffic has to be closed along the La Purisima street where Metropolitan Immaculate Cathedral Church is located and the site for the installation of Bishop Dela Cruz.
“There will be maximum security deployment,†Huesca said, noting the presence of visitng religious dignitaries for the event.
Dela Cruz, prior to his assumption here, was assigned to the Kidapawan diocese and was once the bishop of Basilan at the height of the terrorc attacks of the Abu Sayyaf group directed against the presence of Catholics in the island province in the late 90’s and early 2000 where Fr. Rhoel Gallardo was martyred by the militants.
Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the first Mindanaon Cardinal, will officiate the mass during the installation of Dela Cruz.
“It’s a welcome news that finally Bishop Dela Cruz will assume and will lead his flock in this city,†Salazar said. -Roel Pareño