Gov’t hails public for successful Day 1 of Pope’s visit

Photo by Julliane Love De Jesus/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – After a peaceful Day 1 of Pope Francis’ visit to the country, the government thanked over a million people for cooperating with the security forces.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II and the Philippine National Police leadership thanked the people for following the government’s instructions to keep the event peaceful and sacred.

Aside from few minor arrests, no untoward incidents or injuries were recorded by the police from the Pope’s arrival until the motorcade to the Apostolic Nunciature.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat at sa ating mga kababayan for cooperating para sa mapayapang pagbyahe ni Pope,” Roxas said.

The secretary said the government also owes to 25,000 policemen and 12,000 military, some personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard, and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams the success of the first day of the papal visit.

Of the few minor crimes, one was the arrest of a 61-year-old man who was caught carrying his service firearm while crossing Domestic Road in Pasay City on Thursday afternoon.

Corporal Virgilio Perez, assigned at the Manila International Airport Authority Traffic Section, was apprehended by Tarlac policemen sent to Manila to augment forces for the papal visit.

Director Carmelo Valmoria, National Capital Region Police Office head, told reporters that Perez was on his way to work when policemen inspected his backpack and found his caliber 9 millimeter gun inside.

Earlier the PNP announced the “firearms-free zones,” or areas of the Pope’s engagements and the routes of his motorcade.

PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina vowed to penalize violators, both civilians and law enforcers.

Perez, of Barangay San Roque, Antipolo City, was brought to the Pasay City Police Station for the filing of charges for violating illegal possession of firearms.