IT is fair to give credit to the security personnel who kept Pope Francis safe during his four-day visit to the Philippines. Unlike the previous papal visits, no suspicious forces were able to get near the head of the Catholic Church.
In the streets of Manila, where millions of Filipinos waited for the pontiff’s mobile to pass by, hundreds of Philippine National Police (PNP) forces together with Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) constables were deployed to prevent stampedes and to keep the places secured.
Though they were very near the Pope’s car, the policemen remained focused on their duty and stapled their eyes to the people. Security forces were mandated to put their full attention on the people to watch out for possible threats.
Some of the men worked overtime, beyond their required hours and canceled their days off. The noble security officials stood up in their posts despite the scorching heat and the heavy downpour of rain during the last few days of the Pope’s visit.
Indeed they should be honored for their service. The policemen were promised a P2,400 for their meal allowance as compensation for their papal visit duties. However, complaints of policemen resurfaced in the media saying that they received P700 only.
Nearly a week after the Pope left the country, the policemen are still waiting for the compensation promised to them. Twenty-eight thousand cops were deployed in Manila, Pasay and Tacloban, each failing to receive P1,400. If computed, the amount would total P39.2 million missing funds.
On the brighter side, PNP officer-in-charge Deputy Director General Leonardo Espina immediately ordered an investigation upon learning the situation.
Budget officer of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) Superintendent Evangeline Martos was quickly relieved from her post. The policewoman is currently held at the Police Holding Administrative Unit of Headquarters Support Service at Camp Crame for the discrepancies in the allowance released to the PSPG.
After the papal visit, authorities are now focused on their security duties for the upcoming series of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meetings that will be held in the country. This is a big challenge for them, considering that various leaders from different parts of the world will be coming to the country.
(AJPress)
