In Mactan closed-door meeting, alternate airport tagged

SECURITY preparations make it improbable for these children in Palo, Leyte province, wearing masks with Pope Francis’ face, to meet Francis when he visits areas laid to waste by Supertyphoon “Yolanda.” RAFFY LERMA

MACTAN, Cebu—A top-level security briefing held behind closed doors here is highlighting the importance of this airport city in the security network being laid out for Pope Francis even if the Pope is not visiting any place in the province of Cebu.

To ensure that security measures are in place for the papal visit to Tacloban City on Jan. 17 and the surge of tourists who are coming to Cebu for the Sinulog celebration, top Cabinet and military officials visited Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) on Tuesday to discuss security preparations.

Present at the closed-door meeting were Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., and airport, port and local government officials.

Alternative airport

Abaya, in an interview, said MCIA could be an alternative airport if any weather disturbance would force a diversion of the Pope’s flight away from the airport in Tacloban City.

“Cebu is an alternative airport for foul weather … only in foul weather,” Abaya said.

“Let’s pray that the weather doesn’t turn bad,” he said.

He said that Cebu being a major hub, authorities were checking security preparations in airports and seaports “to eliminate all possible threats.”

“We are doubling up measures,” Abaya said. He said a no-fly zone was being implemented, which covered training planes.

GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), which is now operating MCIA, announced that a ban on flights would be enforced on Jan. 15, 17 and 19.

Pope Francis is set to arrive in Manila at 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 15. He will fly to Tacloban City on Jan. 17 to celebrate Mass and have lunch with survivors of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and the earthquake that struck Bohol province.

He will leave on Jan. 19.

No advisory

Andrew Harrison, adviser of GMCAC, said the airport operator had not been advised if the Pope would make a stopover in Mactan.

However, should the Pontiff do so, security measures are all in place.

“Should the Pope decide to do so (drop by MCIA) and we are blessed by Almighty God, we will be ready,” Harrison said.

He said the ongoing celebration of the Sinulog added to “a lot of things going on.”

“There is a a higher level of alertness at the airport going on,” Harrison said.

“Cebu is a diversion airport for a number of other airports around the Visayas, so, an airport is always ready to accept diversions whenever necessary,” he added.

A military source told the Inquirer that Abaya received three briefings from the regional police office, the Cebu Ports Authority and Nigel Paul Villarete, MCIA general manager.

Abaya, Gazmin and Catapang arrived here on board a Philippine Air Force Fokker plane past 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

The party left the airport premises past noon and went back to Mactan Air Base, where they boarded the same plane and headed back for Manila.