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 is 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 travelling 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.
The influx of people who will be coming to the region to witness the Papal Visit presents an opportunity to lawless elements and threat groups, who may take advantage of the situation however, the Police, the Church and the local officials, will undertake police operations and other security-related activities and/or measures to ensure the success as well as the orderly and peaceful visit of the Pope.
