The Armed Forces of the Philippines(AFP) will deploy 6,000
to 7,000 soldiers to secure Pope Francis during his stay and visit to Manila , Tacloban and Palo in Leyte
from Jan. 15 to 19.
This is aside from the peacekeeping contingents from the
Golan Heights, Liberia and Haiti
AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang during
Tuesday's New Year's Call at the AFP Commissioned Officers Club in Camp
Aguinaldo, Quezon City, however, clarified that they are yet to detect any
security threat for the Pontiff's visit, adding that their greatest concern is
the so-called "people surge" or the attempt of the public to get near
or personally see Pope Francis at close range.
"(That's why) we are putting up barricades (in the
areas he will visit), hopefully, the people will understand that they will all
have a chance to get a glimpse of the Pope," Catapang said.
He also reminded the public to avoid putting Pope Francis,
who is known to break security protocol to interact with the people, in any
"difficult situation."
Despite the lack of security threats, Catapang said that
they are looking at every possibility.
"In the military, we call this 'wargaming'," the
AFP chief stressed.
Catapang also expressed confidence that the AFP, along with
the Philippine National Police, will be able to successfully hurdle the
security challenge posed by the Pontiff's visit.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=722119
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