Tight security as Pope Francis begins his visit to the Philippines

Today, Pope Francis begins his visit to the Philippines. A huge security operation is planned with an estimated 37,000 police and military personnel deployed to ensure there are no attacks on the Pope. Gregorio Catapang Jr., the top commander of the military, said the Papal visit was the " the biggest security nightmare" the government faces.

Earlier Papal visits have been marred by attacks on the Pope. When Pope Paul VI visited in November of 1970 he was attacked by Bolivian artist Benjamin Mendoza. Mendoza had managed to pass through the airport security wearing a priest's robe. He slashed the Pope with a dagger, just missing his throat. When Pope John Paul visited in 1995, Ramzi Yousef who previously had attacked the World Trade Center, planted a bomb which luckily exploded prematurely. There have been threats reported against the Pope in recent months. Adding fuel to the fears, some armed jihadist groups in the southern Philippines have pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The Philippines has been placed on "full alert status" for the full period of the Pope's visit. As many as 100 young Filipinos are thought to have gone to Iraq and Syria to fight for the Islamic State.

 There have been several videos of two Islamist groups, Abu Sayyaf, and BIFF, pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. For the arrival of the Papal plane, a no-fly zone has been declared and several flights have been cancelled as well. Those who plan to attend the Papal mass were warned not to bring bags or even umbrellas. Barricades are being set up in some areas of Manila to keep crowds from surging too close to the Pope. When John Paul II visited in 1995 it was estimated that five million people were present at the mass he gave. That record could very well fall when Pope Francis celebrates mass on Sunday.

One of the three vehicles that the Pope will use during his visit is built like a jeepney. Jeepneys were originally manufactured from converted US military jeeps left in the islands after World War II. They are used as buses and for transporting all kinds of goods throughout the country. Many are lavishly decorated and painted but the Pope's vehicle will be white with an elevated rear deck. The Pope does not like the Vatican's "popemobile" which he calls a "sardine can." He prefers open-top vehicles, no doubt causing considerable anxiety for those responsible for his security.

Manila traffic police are expected to spend long hours on the job without a break and are being required to wear diapers as described in an earlier article. The traffic enforcers had a good practice run wearing the diapers during the long procession of the Black Nazarene on January 9, shown in the appended video. Just click "Watch on You Tube" to view the video.

Manila traffic cops to wear diapers during Papal visit

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Philippines next week from January 15 to the 19th. The visit is expected to cause massive traffic jams in Manila, a city where traffic jams are the norm. + Add Image In preparation for the Papal visit and the gridlock on Manila streets, about 2,000 traffic controllers will be required to wear adult diapers as announced by Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair, Francis Tolentino. The call of duty will take precedence over the call of nature. Tolentino advised those who might wait for hours to see the Pope also to be prepared by donning diapers. According to Tolentino, his order was well received by his employees.

 On January 9th 800 traffic workers will test out the diapers during the procession of the Black Nazarene that lasts nearly 24 hours. The Black Nazarene is a life-sized statue of Jesus. The skin color was reportedly darkened by a fire. There are a number of rituals involved in the Black Nazarene Festival which this year celebrates its 408th anniversary:" Its rituals include the Pahalik, in which devotees line up to touch and kiss the image of Señor Nazareno at the Quirino Grandstand; and the Traslacion, in which the image is carried by bare-footed devotees back to Quiapo Church." Many of the devotees who take part in the festival and procession believe the statue has the power to cure ailments and to bring health and fortune.

Tolentino warned those who will attend an open air mass given by the Pope at Rizal Park on the seaside January 18 that they should also come prepared: "If you attend an event that will last for 24 hours, you cannot go around looking for a (portable toilet)." Priest, nuns, seminarians, and the elderly should also consider wearing diapers Tolentino advised. When asked if he himself would wear a diaper Tolentino said: "I will try, but in my case, I have less hydration."

The devotees of the Nazarene wear maroon and yellow, the colors of the icon's garb, and also walk barefoot as a sign of penance and emulating the walk of Jesus on the way to Golgotha. In the 2013 procession there were an estimated 500,000 who took part. Traffic is often rerouted during the procession. In 2014 security and traffic control by the local authorities was supplemented by contingents of the Philippine National Police and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Church and local authorities see the Festival as a good practice run to prepare for the Papal visit later. Johnny Yu, chief of disaster management for Manila said:" "During the festivities, we will be able to test all our capabilities and security plans. This is a good preparation for Pope Francis’ visit. We can evaluate and improve our lapses.” "