INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Starting on Monday (Jan. 12), Manila Bay areas near the venues of Pope Francis’ scheduled engagements during his pastoral visit to the country will be off-limits to motor boats, yachts and other sea craft, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Commander Armand Balilo, the PCG spokesperson, said over the weekend the designated “no sail” zones from the Port Area in Manila to the Mall of Asia (MOA) complex in Pasay City would be in effect until Jan. 19, the last day of the papal visit.
During the period, motor bancas, yachts and other vessels will not be allowed to get near the Quirino Grandstand on Rizal Park, the Cultural Center Complex and MOA, according to Balilo.
Two of the papal events will be held near the Manila Bay – the pontiff’s meeting with some families at MOA on Jan. 16 and the mass at the grandstand on Jan. 18.
Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Jan. 15 (Thursday).
The Coast Guard, an agency attached to the Department of Transportation and Communications, has also designated “no sail” zones in the waters near Tacloban City and Palo town, both in Leyte province, which the pope will also visit.
Earlier, the PCG created two maritime task forces to help military and police units ensure the safety of the pope and members of his official delegation.”
The agency’s Maritime Security and Intensified Seaborne Patrol plans, among others, are “already in place,” according to PCG commandant Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena.
A Coast Guard helicopter is tasked to “conduct maritime security surveillance, as well as act as an air ambulance, during the papal visit,” according to the PCG Public Affairs Office.