3,000 cops to secure Pacquiao homecoming

At least 3,000 policemen will secure Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao and his party when they arrive in the country today following his victory in the US.

Metro police chief Director Vidal Querol said they are ready and prepared to secure Pacquiao and his entourage at the airport, Malacañang and a parade around Manila and Quezon City.

"It’s all systems go," said Querol as he advised motorists to avoid the parade route, where a heavy turnout is expected to cheer their hero.

Pacquiao demolished Mexican boxing legend Erik Morales in the 10th round of their bout in Las Vegas last Sunday.

Querol warned petty criminals, like pickpockets and snatchers, not to take advantage of the situation.

"We will not hesitate to make arrests. We are there to make sure that the parade and celebration will be orderly and peaceful," he said.

Querol met yesterday with his five police district directors at the satellite office of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in Kamuning, Quezon City to finalize the security plan for the arrival of Pacquiao.

Joining them were heads and representatives of the Traffic Enforcement Group of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Aviation Security Group, Police Security and Protection Office, Traffic Management Group and the National Capital Region Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Querol tasked Chief Superintendent Napoleon Cachuela, NCRPO deputy for operations, as the overall commander of Task Force Pacquiao.

Members of the Southern Police District (SPD) and the ASG will be securing the perimeter of the airport upon the arrival of Pacquiao and his party at 4 a.m.

From the airport, SPD director Chief Superintendent Wilfredo Garcia will accompany Pacquiao to the Hyatt hotel on Pedro Gil in Manila, where they will stay to get a few hours rest.

At around 9 a.m., Pacquiao will proceed to Malacañang Palace for an audience with President Arroyo.

From there, he and his entourage would motor to Manila City Hall, the starting point for the parade around Manila and Quezon City.

The motorcade will start at around 10:30 a.m., passing Jones Bridge, Escolta, Plaza Sta. Cruz, Dasmariñas, Reina Regente, Claro M. Recto, Del Pan, R-10, Moriones, Tayuman, Galas, Blumentritt, España, Quezon Avenue, Scout Chuatuco, Mother Ignacia, Timog, EDSA, Kamuning, Tomas Morato, E. Rodriguez, Cubao overpass, Araneta Center and back to E. Rodgiruez, Aurora Boulevard, Nagtahan, Zamora, Pedro Gil and Dagonoy Market.

Querol said uniformed policemen will man all street corners and be on the lookout for possible troublemakers.

At 4:30 a.m., a tribute will be given to the boxer at the Rajah Sulayman Park fronting the Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard.

This will be followed by a victory party also at the park.

Starting 3 p.m., the northbound lane of Roxas Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic while the southboundlane will be closed at 7 p.m. – Non Alquitran, Evelyn Macairan, Nestor Etolle