MANILA, Philippines – Ikinalat na kahapon ng Philippine National Police (PNP) ang 25,000 pulis sa iba’t ibang ‘areas of engagements’ o venues sa 5 araw na state visit ni Pope Francis sa Metro Manila at Eastern Visayas mula bukas, Enero 15 hanggang 19.
Nitong Lunes ay itinaas na ni PNP officer-in-charge P/Deputy Director Gen. Leonardo Espina sa full alert status ang 150,000 puwersa ng PNP upang tiyakin na maipatutupad ang misyon ng kapulisan para sa seguridad ng Santo Papa, mga VIPs at ng mga debotong dadalo sa papal visit.
“We are not leaving anything to chance in our preparations for the visit of Pope Francis, and we have drawn contingencies for every foreseeable scenario,” sabi ni Espina.
Ang 25,000 PNP personnel ang magbibigay ng ‘operational support’ sa Presidential Security Group na siyang magiging close-in security at safety services ni Pope Francis at ng entourage nito.
Samantala, tatapatan naman ito ng 17,000 security forces ng AFP, 10,000 dito ay sundalo at 7,000 mga reservist.
Ang PNP contingent ang magsasagawa ng security coverage operations sa iba’t ibang venues na pupuntahan ng Santo Papa kabilang dito ang crowd control, vehicular, pedestrian traffic direction, route, parking at venue security.
“While the government is in close coordination with Church leaders and the private sector to ensure the success of the Papal Visit, the people’s cooperation would be most crucial,” dagdag ng opisyal.