Security personnel and bomb sniffing dogs patrol the Luneta grandstand as part of security preparations for the observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9. PHOTO BY RUY MARTINEZ
The same security preparations will be followed in Leyte province.
“It is a security challenge in a way but we can do it. We will just make do with available forces, we are in joint [coordination] with the PNP. The PNP will bring in the biggest contingent,” Catapang said.
He added that the military has not monitored any specific threat to the Pope but their greatest worry is the expected surge of people who will throng Rizal Park (Luneta in Manila) where the Pope will hold a Mass.
Catapang said it is possible that a member of a terror group may make an attempt against the Pope.
“It’s a concern but we are looking into all possibilities. We call that in the military ‘war gaming.’ “What if, what if, so up to the time that we settle everything, is it plausible, possible or can it happen?”
Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado said they will be providing aerial cover for the Holy Father and conduct security air patrols to ensure that all the routes where the Pope and his party will pass are fully secured.
Delgado added that the aerial cover will be provided in Metro Manila and in Leyte where the Pope will visit the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.
He said all available air assets in Metro Manila and the Visayas would be tapped for aerial patrol.
A PNP official who requested that he should not be named earlier said intelligence reports about a possible attack on the Pope should not be taken lightly.