By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, Jan. 6 (PNA) — In line with efforts to secure Pope Francis during his Jan. 15 to 19 visit in the country, Philippine Air Force (PAF) chief Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Delgado on Tuesday said that they will recommend to President Benigno S. Aquino III that a “no-fly zone” be implemented on the airspaces of Manila, Tacloban and Palo, Leyte.
Essentially, this means that no aircraft can be allowed to fly above these cities as long as activities involving Pope Francis are ongoing.
“So far (this) is our position, to ensure the safety and security of the Pope,” Delgado said.
He added that approval of the “no-fly zone” will come from the Chief Executive.
Delgado stressed that all available air assets in Manila, Tacloban and Palo will be deployed to ensure maximum security for Pope Francis.
Earlier, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang said that air cover will be provided to the Pontiff and his convoy while trekking the estimated 10 kilometer distance from Villamor Air Base, Pasay City to the Apostolic Nunciature in Malate, Manila on Jan. 15 (PNA)