PNP chief to ensure safety of ‘Families’

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. has assured the safety of participants to the 4th World Meeting of Families to be held in Manila on Jan. 22 to 26.

Ebdane said the PNP started mapping out security plans as early as July last year to ensure the peaceful staging of the event.

On orders of the PNP chief, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco formed a World Meeting task force under former Manila police director Chief Superintendent Nicolas Pasinos.

Pasinos met with representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at the Archbishop’s Palace in Villa San Miguel, Mandaluyong City the other day.

"We assure all the 75 countries represented that they will be provided appropriate security," Velasco said.

The Metro police chief said the PNP has asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deploy additional personnel and bomb-sniffing dogs.

"We have enough people to take care of security, but just to be really sure, we will ask for help from the AFP," he said.

Ebdane and Velasco said the PNP have not received any specific threats from local or foreign terrorists, who might take advantage over the world conference.

"None, so far. But in any international gathering, we should be prepared to be ready for any threat," Velasco said.

He said security preparations will be centered on the Western and Southern Police Districts, particularly at the Luneta Grandstand in Manila and the hotels situated in Makati City.

"We are ready to provide security from the airport to the hotels, including the churches," the Metro police chief added. – Christina Mendez