RPSB-7 troops all set to secure pope’s visit

CEBU, Philippines - The 400 policemen from the Regional Public Safety Battalion–7 are all set for the visit of Pope Francis in Leyte next week.

RPSB-7 battalion commander Superintendent Clifford Gairanod, who will lead the troops, said they are fully prepared to provide route security from Palo to Tacloban City where the pope will pass through.

Pope Francis will visit Palo and Tacloban City in Leyte and Manila from January 15 to 19.

Gairanod said they have conducted intensive training for the 400 police personnel for the past months. The trainings included close quarter battle, route security, search and rescue, crowd disposal management, and immediate action drills like engagement and ambush.

They will also be bringing equipment for SAR and CDM operations should the need arises.

Gairanod further said they have shipped their provisions such as food and cooking utensils to be used during their 10-day stay.

While they are prohibited to carry firearms while implementing route security, he decided to bring armaments and long firearms with them in case of contingency.

He added that they still do not know yet the mode of transportation in going back to Cebu so they need to be ready in case of an ambush or engagement with rebels in the area.

“We will just hide our armaments and equipment. Babantanyan yon ng tropa namin so yung naka-deploy sa route security, wala talaga kaming baril,” he said.

The 400 policemen are divided into five companies. Each company will be composed of a security team, which will comprise 40 personnel in full battle gear.

Gairanod said about half of the 400 policemen were among those sent to augment Zamboanga City police force during the Zamboanga siege in 2013.

The troop will leave Cebu today and will return on January 20. They will depart from their headquarters in Sibonga and travel to Police Regional Office –7 for the formal send-off ceremony before they finally head to Tacloban City.

They may be transported via the C130 transport plane of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or via ship. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento/NSA (FREEMAN)