Govt widened scope of blocked phone signals in Pope Francis’ visit

By ELIZABETH MARCELO, GMA News

Published January 16, 2015 2:25pm

Security authorities on Thursday night decided to widen the scope of the blocking of phone signals to include other cities in Metro Manila, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said on Friday.

Mobile phone signals were initially planned only for Manila and Pasay City as part of the security measures during Pope Francis engagements in Malacañang, Manila Cathedral and Mall of Asia Arena.

"Sinisiguro lang natin na hindi magagamit yung pagkakaroon ng signal sa paggawa ng ano mang kasamaan," Roxas said in a press conference in Manila.

"Hindi naman buong Metro Manila ang orihinal na layunin, ang tatanggalan lang sana ng signal ay yung area kung nasaan si Pope.... Pero science and technology dictates us na kahit one bar lang na (cellphone) signal ay kayang mag-trigger (ng pagsabog)," he added.

"Kung halimbawa may three bars (of signal) sa Fairview (Quezon City), iisipin natin malayo naman, pero kung magkaroon kahit one bar lang na signal sa Manila, yung three bars na yung sa Fairview ay pwedeng mag-creep. Ayaw lang natin na magamit ito na pagkakataon ng kung sino man," Roxas said.

He would neither confirm nor deny if there the authorities monitored a threat to the security of the Pope.

Roxas also refused to comment on an unconfirmed report that the PNP yesterday was looking for or may have already apprehended an alleged suicide bomber, a Malaysian national who was wearing a backpack.

"We won't comment of intelligence matters. Suffice to say na tinugunan ng ating security forces ang mga hamon," Roxas said.

Roxas said cell phone signals will be restored every time Pope Francis was inside the Apostolic Nunciature located on Taft Avenue in Malate, Manila and will be cut down again once the pontiff leaves.

"Mamaya pagpunta niya sa MOA ay mawawala ulit hanggang makabalik siya sa Nunciature," Roxas said.

Despite minor adjustments in security measures and the vehicle used during the Pope's motorcade, Roxas said that the security aspect of the Pope's visit had been going quite well and according to plan.

After celebrating a Mass at the Manila Cathedral, Pope Francis had a private lunch with some religious leaders at the Apostolic Nunciature, which serves as his official residence in the country.

At 5 p.m. Pope Francis is scheduled to leave the Nunciature for another motorcade on the way to the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena where he is set to meet with poor families chosen by various dioceses across the country.

Government’s call

Mobile communications subsribers raised a howl on Friday over a lack of network signal in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Telecommunications firms said it was the call of government to shut down mobile network coverage as the need arise for both voice and data services in Metro Manila for security reasons in light of the state and apostolic visit of Pope Francis.

"It's up to the government," Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) spokesperson Ramon Isberto told GMA News Online when asked if subscribers can expect more network signal disruptions during the papal visit.

"You better ask government. We have been complying with the directive," Isberto said.

Smart Communications Inc. and Sun Cellular operator Digitel Telecommunications Philippines Inc. are PLDT subsidiaries.

For Globe Telecom Inc., the temporary loss of mobile connectivity is "in compliance with the directive of the National Telecommunications Commission for security reasons," director for external affairs Jocel De Guzman said in an email exchange with GMA News Online, reiterating the company's earlier advisory.

Early Friday, subscribers of Sun and Smart complained about the lack of network signal in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

Pope Francis met the Cabinet and the diplomatic corps in Malacañang in the morning and celebrated mass with the clergy and the laity at the Manila Cathedral before noon.

"We were instructed to temporarily shut down services in Metro Manila," Isberto said.

As to why even nearby provinces were affected, Isberto said this is because "some of the cell sites in those areas can reach Metro Manila." —NB, GMA News

Tags: popefrancis, papalvisit