Air cover, sniper teams to be posted along Pope Francis' arrival route --AFP chief

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6): Air cover, sniper teams to be posted along Pope Francis' arrival route --AFP chief

As part of measures to secure Pope Francis during his Jan. 15-19 Apostolic Visit to the country, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said that air cover and sniper teams will be posted along Roxas Blvd. on the day of his arrival.

He made this statement during Tuesday's New Year Call by key military officials at the AFP Commissioned Officers' Club in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Catapang said the airspace along the stretch of Roxas Blvd. will be cleared of all aircraft except those involved in securing the Pope.

The Pontiff is scheduled to arrive late in the afternoon of Jan. 15 at Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.

He and his convoy will proceed to Roxas Blvd. toward the Apostolic Nunciature in Malate, Manila.

Catapang said sniper teams will be posted on six or eight high-rise buildings along the path of the Pontiff's entourage.

The AFP chief said that these sniper teams will monitor the area for possible threats and if needed, to neutralize them.

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