Ilocos region sending 1,500 cops to help secure Pope Francis

The Ilocos regional police will send at least 1,500 personnel to Manila to help secure Pope Francis when he visits the Philippines on Jan. 15 to 19.

 

Of this number, 400 will come from Pangasinan province alone, Joanne Ponsoy reported on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas Ngayon on Monday.

 

"Ang ating contingent sa national headquarters, ang national headquarters na, ang ating Directorate for Operation ang magde-determine ng kanilang deployment," Pangasinan police spokesman Superintendent Ferdinand de Asis said.

 

Many of the Pangasinan police will come from the Provincial Public Safety Company.

 

The report said many of the police to be deployed are Christians, and they consider it an honor to secure the pope.

 

"Medyo kinakabahan din ako," said one of them.

 

The Pope will be at 11 venues in Manila and Leyte during his five-day visit to the Philippines.

 

He will be welcomed by President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang, and will visit Leyte, University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. —Joel Locsin/KG, GMA News