PRO8 intensifies security plan on Pope’s visit next year

By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
September 12, 2014

CAMP RUPERTO K KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Eastern Visayas is eagerly awaiting the coming of His Highness Pope Francis next year from January 15-19. Police Regional Office is now intensifying its security plan to ensure the peace and order of the momentous event.

PRO8 Regional Director, PCSupt. Henry P. Losañes expresses his optimism that Pope’s Visit in January will be very peaceful and orderly one. He said that augmentation forces which are approximately three thousand PNP personnel to include personnel who are handling administrative functions will be deployed to secure the safety of the Pope and other visitors, both domestic and international.

Around 1 to 2 million people are expected to attend the High Mass which he will officiate. The Archdiocese of Palo has yet to announce the venue of the Pope’s Mass. Reports have indicated that the Pope will be visiting areas devastated by super typhoon Yolanda. Initial meetings have been conducted between the church, the police and the local officials to ensure everybody’s safety. The Pope is likewise expected to visit the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral which is now under renovation after it was heavily damaged by ST Yolanda last year.

Traffic Plan during the visit was discussed during the Coordinating Conference last September 11, 2014 at PRO8 Conference Room.

Other significant matters were the following: Traffic flow; Camping and parking area which will be in first come, first serve basis at the Government Center, Brgy Candahug and Youth Camp fronting Andoks at Brgy. Pawing, Palo, Leyte. Tents will also be installed for the visitors, Decals will be issued to all vehicles which will be used as convoy and color coding will be implemented for the VIPs. Strictly, no parking from Coca Cola junction to Palo, Leyte, a tow truck will be available to clear the areas where parking is prohibited. Umbrellas are not allowed around the venue.

Vehicles traveling from San Juanico Bridge going to Ormoc City will take the Tigbao to Sta. Fe route and those from Tanuaun, Leyte can pass thru the Government Center and Vice Versa. Passengers can be picked up or unloaded along this route but parking will not be allowed. All commercial flights are expected to be cancelled during the visit. PNP personnel and other force multipliers will be deployed along the said routes.