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Military thanks public for ‘generally peaceful’ papal visit
(Updated 4:07 p.m.) The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Monday thanked the millions of Filipinos who cooperated with the authorities during Pope Francis' five-day visit to the Philippines.
In an interview with reporters, AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla described the papal visit as "generally peaceful."
"The credit belongs to the people because of their cooperation," he said.
He said soldiers who helped secure the Pope will be formally recognized next Monday during the weekly flag-raising ceremony.
Room for improvements
"Very satisfied ang lahat although there are still room for improvements, which will be good opportunities to fine-tune and refine for our next set of VIPs who will be visiting the country," Padilla said.
He admitted that additional measures on crowd management should be in place next time, citing some areas particularly near the Rizal Park where there were incidents of pushing and shoving.
On Sunday, millions of Filipinos trooped to the Rizal Park and nearby areas to hear the 78-year-old Argentine pontiff officiate his concluding Mass.
Pope Francis departed for Rome on Monday morning, concluding a week-long Asian Tour that also covered Sri Lanka.
APEC summit
For his part, AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang said the security measures used for papal visit will be the benchmark on how the military will handle the security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit to be held in the country late this year.
"It was very successful kasi everybody cooperated, [and] willing to face the challenge of securing the Pope and making his visit successful," he said.
The APEC meetings will he held in Metro Manila; Boracay and Iloilo City in the Western Visayas; Tagaytay City in Southern Tagalog; Metro Cebu in the Central Visayas; Bagac, Bataan and Clark, Pampanga in Central Luzon; and Legazpi City, Albay in Bicol. —Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
In an interview with reporters, AFP spokesman Col. Restituto Padilla described the papal visit as "generally peaceful."
"The credit belongs to the people because of their cooperation," he said.
He said soldiers who helped secure the Pope will be formally recognized next Monday during the weekly flag-raising ceremony.
Room for improvements
"Very satisfied ang lahat although there are still room for improvements, which will be good opportunities to fine-tune and refine for our next set of VIPs who will be visiting the country," Padilla said.
He admitted that additional measures on crowd management should be in place next time, citing some areas particularly near the Rizal Park where there were incidents of pushing and shoving.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II said the Pope thanked the men and women in uniform for the successful event.
"Nagpasalamat ang Pope sa matiwasay at matagumpay na pagbisita nya dito sa Pilipinas. Nandun rin ang mga mga opisyal at kinatawan ng iba't ibang ahensya na kabilang sa pag-aayos at pagseseguro ng kaligtasan ni Pope Francis," he said.
For his part, Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Director General Leonardo Espina commended the police force for securing the Holy Father.
"I know that you all made your own sacrifices in performing your professional duty as police officers to accomplish this mission. This historic visit serves to add greater spiritual and professional experience for the PNP in handling similar major events," he said.
On Sunday, millions of Filipinos trooped to the Rizal Park and nearby areas to hear the 78-year-old Argentine pontiff officiate his concluding Mass.
Pope Francis departed for Rome on Monday morning, concluding a week-long Asian Tour that also covered Sri Lanka.
APEC summit
For his part, AFP chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang said the security measures used for papal visit will be the benchmark on how the military will handle the security for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit to be held in the country late this year.
"It was very successful kasi everybody cooperated, [and] willing to face the challenge of securing the Pope and making his visit successful," he said.
The APEC meetings will he held in Metro Manila; Boracay and Iloilo City in the Western Visayas; Tagaytay City in Southern Tagalog; Metro Cebu in the Central Visayas; Bagac, Bataan and Clark, Pampanga in Central Luzon; and Legazpi City, Albay in Bicol. —Rouchelle Dinglasan/KBK/RSJ, GMA News
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