Bulacan PNP faces security nightmare

MALOLOS CITY—Bulacan police faces a security nightmare in preparation for the visit of the Papal Nuncio here on Saturday.

Archbishop Giusepe Pinto, the papal nuncio to the Philippines will lead the canonical coronation of the image of Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos, as one of the highlights of the 50^th Jubilee celebration of the Diocese of Malolos on March 10.

Pinto will be joined by Archbishop Luis Tagle of the Diocese of Manila along with 50 other bishops, and thousands of parishioners.

Senior Superintendent Fernando Mendez, the Bulacan provincial police director said they are now ironing the security plans, but no detail is available yet.

He added that ranking police officers are now closely coordinating with Monsignor Flint Capiral who was designated by Bishop Jose Oliveros for the security prepratio0ns.

With the celebration and visit of the Papal Nuncio just days away, the provincial government has also stepped in.

Provincial Administrator Jim Valerio said the provincial government feels responsible to maintain security at highest levels despite the fact that the activity is of religious nature.

He said that while the papal nuncio is the Pope’s representative to the country, he also serves as Vatican’s ambassador to the Philippines.

“We are closely coordinating with Monsignor Capiral, kahit na activity to ng simbahan, we have the obligation to heighten security and ensure safety,” he said.

He said that starting Friday, ambulances and fire trucks of the provincial government and other local government units will be on standby at strategic locations.

Earlier, Oliveros said that Pinto will lead the mass celebrating the 50^th Jubilee of the Malolos Diocese, while Tagle will deliver the homily.

After the mass at the Basilica Minore here, Pinto will visit Jubillee Homes n Lumang Bayan, Plaridel; then to San Agustin Church in Baluag, then to Immaculate Conception Seminary in Brgy. Tabe, Guiguinto; and to St. Francis Church in Meycauayn City.

Oliveros said that Baliuag and Meycauayan City is important for Pinto because those places were the center of evengelization of the Augustinian and Franciscan orders in the province, respectively.