Tacloban seeks 197 more cops to secure Francis

TACLOBAN CITY—The city police is requesting for 197 more men to help secure Pope Francis during his visit here next year.

Senior Supt. Dominador Cabillan, city police director, said he would ask for additional men from the Philippine National Police regional headquarters.

The city police force has currently 314 officers and men.

The regional PNP office is in charge of the Pope’s security in the area where Francis will celebrate Mass while the city police will handle security in hotels, schools and astrodomes where pilgrims are expected to be billeted or to congregate.

Cabillan said city policemen would be in charge of keeping order in parking and road traffic during the Pope’s visit.

“We are now ready for the Pope’s visit,” Cabillan said.

He said the city was currently trouble-free and police had not monitored any threat to the Pope.

According to Cabillan, the city police would also coordinate with hotel owners to “sanitize” guests and be on alert for suspicious persons.

Checkpoints would also be set up throughout the city days ahead of the papal visit, Cabillan said.

Fr. Amadeo Alvero, information and communications director of the Archdiocese of Palo, said security during the papal visit would be extra tight.

Two of the rules are only transparent bags will be allowed inside the Mass site and umbrellas will be prohibited, Alvero said.