More security forces arrive in Tacloban for papal visit; X-ray scanner now at Nunciature

More security forces arrived in Tacloban City Tuesday, ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Leyte this coming Saturday.

 

The added forces included members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Police Explosives and Ordnance Division, radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported.

 

Photos tweeted by dzBB's Mateo showed the police and Coast Guard personnel arriving at the Tacloban Airport early Tuesday.

PHOTO: Karagdagang pwersa mula @PhilCoastGuard1 at PNP Bomb Squad, dumating sa Tacloban Airport. | via Carlo Mateo pic.twitter.com/bAtcwir5ux

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 13, 2015

 

On Saturday, Pope Francis is to spend the day in Leyte, leading a Mass at Tacloban City, and having lunch with survivors of recent calamities in Palo, Leyte.

 

As of early Tuesday, tarpaulins lined the road featuring a waving Pope Francis, with the message, "See you on January 17."

 

The tarps indicated they were from the Archdiocese of Palo.

Mga taga-Tacloban City, nasasabik na sa pagdating ng Santo Papa sa bansa. | via Carlo Mateo pic.twitter.com/JTWzEqbiVt

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 13, 2015

 

X-ray scanner at Apostolic Nunciature

 

In Manila, meanwhile, added security measures were installed at the Apostolic Nunciature along Taft Avenue in Manila, GMA News' Hadji Rieta reported.

 

As of early Tuesday, an X-ray scanner was installed outside the Apostolic Nunciature where the Pope will stay during his five-day visit. 

X-ray scanner inilagay na sa labas ng Apostolic Nunciature sa Taft Ave., Manila bilang bahagi ng seguridad nito. pic.twitter.com/nFWXxDvIdu

— Hadji Rieta (@hadjirieta) January 12, 2015

 

—Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News