As papal visit nears, gov’t not taking ISIS threat lightly

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said on Saturday, September 27, that the government is assuring the security of Pope Francis during his trip to the country in January 2015.

It also said that the threat brought by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) would not be taken lightly, as a bishop expressed concern for the Pope’s safety.

Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad had pleaded for government not to take the ISIS threat lightly, as the papal visit nears.

“President Benigno Aquino III would be personally overlooking the crafting of the details for the security,” said Deputy Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with Radyo ng Bayan. The President himself gave the assurance while he was in the United States for a working visit this past week, she noted.

Valte said that the government “will be making sure that the plan is in place and that there will be several contingencies so that the visit of the Holy Father will go over without any incident.” (READ: ‘Elaborate security plan’ for Pope Francis PH visit – AFP)

“Ina-assure naman po natin, we do not take it (the ISIS threat) lightly. Ayaw po nating magkaroon pa ng karagdagang problema dito sa ating bansa at karagdagang kaguluhan,” Valte said. (We are giving assurances we do not take it lightly. We do not want to have further problems and chaos here in our country.)

Valte added that Filipino Muslims are also assisting the government in preventing the spread of elements like ISIS in Mindanao and elsewhere. Previous reports have said that some Philippine militants had pledged their allegiance to ISIS jihadists.

Pope Francis will visit the Philippines from January 15 to 19, 2015. The main objective of the Pope’s Philippine trip is to visit survivors of the 2013 Central Visayas earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda. – Michael Bueza/Rappler.com