Boy arrested in Manila for carrying knife amid Pope euphoria

MANILA, Philippines – While thousands of people were starting massing up along Roxas Boulevard to welcome Pope Francis, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for carrying a foldable knife on Quirino Avenue Thursday.

The boy, of Tramo Street in Pasay City, said he was arrested when police saw him took out a six-inch knife in his pocket.

PO2 Jerry Bunag told reporters at the Philippine National Police command center in Aloha Hotel that the boy, whose name is withheld as he is a minor, will be turned over to Malate Police Station.

The boy said he had no intention of harming anyone.

“The knife came from my friend. I was about to sell it for P50,” he said in Filipino.

The Pope arrived at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City past 5 p.m.

His open motorcade will pass through Roxas Boulevard as he heads to his temporary residence during his four-day visit at the Apostolic Nunciature on Taft Avenue.