MANILA, Philippines - A few days before the arrival of Pope Francis in the country, President Aquino urged government officials and security personnel to further improve security preparations for the papal visit.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II yesterday said the President on Tuesday presided over a four-hour meeting on the security preparations, and Aquino “critiqued the plan for each part of the visit.”
The President would like all 18 government agencies to further strengthen their security plans in the remaining days before the pope’s arrival on Jan. 15.
Roxas gave assurance that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is prepared to secure the perimeter of the areas to be visited by the pope.
The PNP announced earlier that 25,000 policemen would be deployed in all areas where the pope would pass and stay.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) also started erecting concrete barriers along the stretch of Roxas Boulevard and other roads where Pope Francis would pass.
NCRPO chief Director Carmelo Valmoria said the concrete barriers would serve as the “first line of defense” against “troublemakers” and those too eager to get close to the pope.
The southbound section of Roxas Boulevard will be closed on certain hours during the papal visit to give way to the papal entourage.
In a traffic advisory, the Pasay City government yesterday said on Jan. 15, the southbound section of Roxas Boulevard will be closed from 4 p.m. until the papal entourage passes.
On Jan. 16 it will be closed from 1 p.m., on Jan. 17 from 8 a.m., and on Jan. 19 from 5 a.m. until the papal entourage passes.
The 125,000-strong military, meanwhile, will be on red alert starting on Saturday until Pope Francis leaves on Jan. 19. Armed Forces chief Gen. Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the alert status entails the cancellation of leaves of soldiers.
The military would also tap 100 snipers to further secure the venues of the papal visit.
Roxas said ensuring the safety of all the devotees is part of the security preparations because millions of people are expected to see the pope. “So whatever the preparations in major activities such as the State of the Nation Address, this must be tripled with several government agencies involved.”
“The challenge is not only for the PNP but for the entire country… It’s a great job; it’s a great challenge. And I know, and I’m confident, in what I have seen in the PNP, we’ll live up and we’ll be able to set up to that challenge,” he added.
PAL, AirAsia cancel flights
Since roads leading to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be temporarily closed and will affect airline operations during the papal visit, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and AirAsia yesterday announced the cancellation of over 160 domestic and international flights.
In an advisory, PAL said 142 flights or 71 roundtrip flights have been cancelled on Jan. 15 and 19 to give way to the arrival and departure ceremonies of Pope Francis at the NAIA.
On Jan. 15, PAL cancelled 62 flights or 31 roundtrip flights. Affected domestic destinations include Bacolod, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Caticlan, Davao, Dumaguete, Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga and Cebu. Affected international routes include Hong Kong, Singapore, Kansai, Bangkok and Honolulu.
The airline also called off 80 flights or 40 roundtrip flights on Jan. 19. Affected domestic destinations include Bacolod, Basco, Busuanga, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legazpi, Naga, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Zamboanga, Jolo and Cebu. Affected international routes include Hong Kong, Singapore, Haneda, Bangkok, Jakarta and Fukuoka.
Passengers are advised to visit the PAL website (www.philippineairlines.com) or the PAL Facebook page to know the status of their flights.
Affected passengers may also call PAL Reservations (632-8558888) for rebooking or refund assistance.
“Tickets may be rebooked for travel within 30 days from the original travel date without penalty, provided tickets are still valid. Tickets may be refunded without penalty. Rerouting will be allowed under certain conditions,” PAL said in its advisory.
AirAsia, on the other hand, cancelled 24 domestic and international flights on Jan. 15, 17 and 19.
On Jan. 15, four international flights to Kuala Lumpur and Seoul as well as 10 domestic flights to Cebu, Tacloban, Kalibo, Tagbilaran and Kalibo were called off.
The low-cost carrier also cancelled six flights to and from Tacloban City on Jan. 17 as Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the province battered by Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
Four flights to Tagbilaran, Cebu and Kalibo on Jan. 19 were also cancelled as Pope Francis is scheduled to end his four-day visit to the Philippines.
AirAsia said affected passengers could opt for a refund or to move to the next available flights of the same route within 30 days from original departure; credit shell valid for 90 days.
Last Monday, Cebu Pacific and Tiger Airways Philippines also announced the cancellation of over 200 domestic and international flights from Jan. 15 to 19 due to the papal visit.
Operations of NAIA would be affected from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 due to the arrival of Pope Francis as well as from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. of Jan. 17 when the pope departs to Tacloban City and from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. when the Pope returns to Manila from Tacloban City.
The international gateway would also be disrupted from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. of Jan. 19 when Pope Francis ends his visit.
Farmers fasting for land reform
Meanwhile, farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) will fast on Jan. 15 and 16 as a way of expressing to the pope their need for genuine land reform.
KMP chairman Rafael Mariano clarified that “the farmers’ fasting is not a protest against the pope.” – With Lawrence Agcaoili, Rudy Santos, Perseus Echeminada, Non Alquitran, Alexis Romero, Rhodina Villanueva, Jennifer Rendon, Evelyn Macairan