POPE-PHILIPPINES/TACLOBAN-SECURITY Security is tight ahead of Pope visit to Tacloban

Record ID: 565742

  • Title: POPE-PHILIPPINES/TACLOBAN-SECURITY Security is tight ahead of Pope visit to Tacloban
  • Date: 17th January 2015
  • Summary: TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 16, 2015) (REUTERS) PILGRIMS GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE PILGRIMS WALKING IN FRONT OF BANNER WELCOMING POPE FRANCIS POLICE OFFICER WATCHING ON AS PILGRIMS WALK PAST POLICE OFFICERS STANDING IN A FIELD WITH SECURITY FENCES FIELD WITH SECURITY FENCES / CHURCH WITH LIGHTS ON PALO, LEYTE PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 17, 2015) (REUTERS) POLICE OFFICERS DIRECTING TRAFFIC PILGRIMS IN FRONT OF BANNERS WELCOMING POPE FRANCIS POLICE OFFICERS DIRECTING TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS IN RAINCOATS VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICER IN RAINCOAT SPEAKING TO PEDESTRIANS PILGRIMS IN RAINCOATS PILGRIMS IN FRONT BANNERS WELCOMING POPE FRANCIS PILGRIM TALKING TO POLICE OFFICER WEARING RAINCOAT PILGRIM, MARISSA TEJANO, TALKING WITH A CHILD AND COMPANIONS (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) PILGRIM, MARISSA TEJANO, SAYING: "I'm very happy that the Pope is coming because it will bring blessings to everyone who has suffered because of calamities, especially those here in Tacloban." POLICE VEHICLE DRIVING PAST POLICE OFFICERS STANDING (SOUNDBITE) (Filipino) POLICE INSPECTOR, IAN BUMANLAG, SAYING: "We're all good to go. Police officers from every regional office are here. We travelled for hours from every corner of the Philippines to here. This is our sacrifice so that we can provide the necessary security to the Holy Father." VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS IN RAINCOATS
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Philippines
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA76MSXAL4N3VLCM9PSRL468197
  • Story Text: Security was tight in the central Philippine city of Tacloban on Saturday (January 17), hours ahead Pope Francis' visit to the area.
    Francis will pray for the dead and comfort the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the country's worst natural disaster, which killed 6,300 people and displaced millions a little over a year ago.
    Nearly 50,000 soldiers and police from across the Philippines have been deployed to ensure the Pope's safety during his visit to the nation, in the country's biggest security operation.
    Weather fears were also a concern of the authorities as the state weather bureau warned that the region might experience heavy rainfall due to the approach of storm.
    Pilgrims gathered at Tacloban's airport early on Friday (January 16) to ensure they had a spot for the mass he would be celebrating shortly after his arrival into the city.
    About two million people are expected to attend the open-air mass at the airport, which was almost completely destroyed by Haiyan.
    Haiyan, which packed 250 kph (155 mph) winds and created a seven-metre high storm surge, wiped out or damaged practically everything in its path as it swept ashore on November 8, 2013.
    The storm destroyed around 90 percent of the city of Tacloban in Leyte province. More than 14.5 million people were affected in six regions and 44 provinces. About one million people remain homeless.
    The Pope's day trip to the coastal city 650 km (400 miles) southeast of Manila gives him another opportunity to speak about climate change ahead of a major document on the environment he is due to issue in June.
    Pope Francis has said he believed that man was primarily responsible for climate change and that he hoped this year's Paris conference would take a courageous stand to protect the environment
    Haiyan survivors are hopeful the impact of the Pope's visit will not only raise their spirits but draw attention to the situation in the region.
    Marissa Tejano, who lost 20 relatives and whose home was destroyed in the storm, was one of the earliest to arrive at Palo Cathedral.
    "I'm very happy that the Pope is coming because it will bring blessings to everyone who has suffered because of calamities, especially those here in Tacloban," said Tejano, who brought her 6-year-old daughter Angel along with her.
    Francis is also expected to say prayers at a mass grave near the Cathedral.
    Police inspector Ian Bumanlag, from the northern Philippines said they were ready for the Pope's arrival.
    "We're all good to go. Police officers from every regional office are here. We travelled for hours from every corner of the Philippines to here. This is our sacrifice so that we can provide the necessary security to the Holy Father," he said.
    Francis will celebrate Mass at the airport and then see for himself the devastation wreaked by Haiyan, the strongest storm to make landfall on record, when he goes to the nearby town of Palo to have lunch with survivors.
    Speaking at the presidential palace on Friday, the Pope admired the "heroic strength, faith and resilience" shown by the island nation.
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