AFP to deploy 50 bomb-sniffing dogs for Pope Francis visit

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MANILA, Philippines — The military will deploy at least 50 bomb sniffing dogs for the visit of Pope Francis next week.

Armed Forces spokesperson Colonel Restituto Padilla said that 32 dogs will be deployed to areas where the Pope’s activities would be held while 22 more will be deployed in Leyte.

There would be 17,000 troops to be dispatched by the AFP — 10,000 soldiers and 7,000 reservists for the 44 activities scheduled for the Pope.

It would also field about 100 snipers from the Special Operations Command based in Luzon.

The military has shown repeated concern on the expected “people surge” for the crowd who would get near the Pope.

The AFP would also go on red alert nationwide starting Saturday. Pope Francis will be in the Philippines from January 15 to 19.