Roxas: Security setup for Pope ready, no street kids caged away from sight

"It's 'pass your paper' time. Finished or not finished." This was what Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said at a media briefing for the security preparations for the visit of Pope Francis, who is scheduled to arrive in Manila later in the day.

Roxas assured the public that security measures are all in place to ensure peace and order during Pope Francis' five-day visit to Manila and Leyte.

He denied reports several men feared to be security threats to the Pope were arrested Wednesday night, and that street children were rounded up and placed in one area to prevent the Pope from seeing them.

"Huwag na po natin gawing fishing expedition ito... Hindi kabahagi ang pulis dito (sa report on caged street children). Para po tayong nanghahabol ng anino niyan," said Roxas.

Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda, for his part, said the Department of Social Welfare and Development even plans to tap street children as part of the "send-off" team for Pope Francis.

"It's not true they are being rounded up," Lacierda said.

On the other hand, Roxas assured the public the government has prepared an "extrication plan" for the Pope in case of an emergency "on land, in sea or air."

Roxas also announced minor route change of the Popemobile in Luneta on Sunday. He said instead of making a U-shape route in front of the Quirino Grandstand, the mobile would be making an S-shape route, crossing every isle so the Pope could get near to more people.

He also said he is aware that Pope Francis might make "unscheduled stops" during his visit, adding that authorities are prepared in case he decided to drop by the Baclaran Church area or to speak to a sick kid on the street.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, advised the people who will be seeing the Pope to just leave their bags at home, and not leave their belongings in their cars as these can lure thieves.

"We are 100-percent ready to receive Pope Francis during his visit," said Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director Undersecretary Alexander Pama, on the other hand, said Tropical Storm Amang has already entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and could bring rain during Pope Francis' visit to Leyte on Saturday.

"Pumasok na rin ho si amang kaninang madaling araw nasa loob ng PAR... Tinatayang hindi siya maglalandfall. Hahalik (lang siya) sa may lugar ng Bicol," he said.

Amang is packing maximum winds of 65kph and gustiness of 80 kph, moving at 19 kph.

Pama said even if Amang does not make landfall, its rain-band will still reach eastern Visayas and Bicol.

"We are not putting our guards down," he added. — LBG, GMA News