PRO-8 director receives Pope Francis medal

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — Chief Superintendent Asher Dolina, director of the Police Regional Office-Region 8 was among the 16 officials of the Philippine National Police in the country who was conferred with a Pope Francis medal and a rosary, for successfully securing the Pope in the latter's visit to Leyte.

Dolina, in a press conference yesterday, said the medal was also a recognition of the good job of other policemen who kept the Pope safe throughout the period of the visit here and in Metro Manila.

Dolina, who was the commander of the Task Force Papal Visit security in Leyte, said that close to 2,000 policemen will receive their recognization award to be given during the 24th PNP Anniversary regional rites at the PRO-8 headquarters in Camp Ruperto Kangleon in Palo town of Leyte.

Dolina told the media: "Other PNP officials and I were really blessed with that rare opportunity of a personal encounter with the Pope. All of us were tensed until the Pope approached to thank each of us. It was a different feeling to meet him up close, and I was speechless. It was indescribable and unforgettable."

Meanwhile, Dolina announced that PRO-8 had already distributed the food allowance to every policeman in the region, assigned to secure the Pope, at P600 each for a two-day meal provision. — Miriam Garcia Desacada (FREEMAN)