Wednesday, January 14, 2015

400 troops from Southern Luzon Command to secure Pope Francis in Tacloban City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 13): 400 troops from Southern Luzon Command to secure Pope Francis in Tacloban City

The Southern Luzon Command will be deploying 400 soldiers to augment the security cordon for Pope Francis in Tacloban City.

Major Angelo Guzman, Southern Luzon Command spokesman, said the troopers will be flown to Tacloban City via Air Force C-130 cargo planes by Tuesday and Wednesday.

He said these soldiers will reinforce the security cordon for Pope Francis' visit on Saturday (Jan. 17) to the "Yolanda" ravaged community.

The soldiers are from Army units in Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, Guzman said.

A patrol ship from Naval Forces Southern Luzon will be pre-positioned at Matnog Port while additional UH-1H helicopters will also be deployed in Legazpi City to guard security and safety of people who are travelling to see Pope Francis during his visit to the country.

“We expect influx of commuters especially at Matnog Port and we hope nothing untoward happens,” said Southern Luzon Command head Major Gen. Ricardo R. Visaya.

He added that the pre-positioning of naval and air assets to Bicol will enable the military to react immediately to any eventuality.

Earlier, Visaya directed all units to beef up security measures along national roads and major ports in the region in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure safe passage of people traveling for the Papal visit on Jan. 15-19.

“We are preparing well for the security of the Pope, pilgrims and devotees as well as for those who just want to see him so that all undertakings shall go unhampered,” he said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=724513

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.