AFP chief Catapang: No threat yet vs. Pope

There is currently no threat to Pope Francis during his papal visit to the country slated for early next year, the Armed Forces chief of staff General Gregorio Catapang said on Tuesday.

 

In an interview, Catapang dismissed the possibility of assassins taking down the Pope.

 

“Wala namang threat sa Pope natin, alam niyo naman 'yung Pope natin is very popular so I think it's something that we look forward to so we really want our Filipino brothers be they Christians, Muslims or Lumads to appreciate the visit of the Pope because he is Vicar of Christ,” Catapang said.

 

He said the military was more concerned with the crowds that might cause an accident for the pope such as slipping if he is swarmed by the public.

 

Catapang added the AFP wasn't considering the suspected presence of ISIS members in the country as a threat to the Pope. He said the local groups were only providing support through sympathy.

 

Still, he said the military was closely monitoring the movement of those who come to the country as a countermeasure for possible ISIS movement to endanger the Pope.

 

The AFP along with the Philippine National Police were tasked to secure the Pope during his papal visit to the country from January 15 to 19. —Andrei Medina/NB, GMA News