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PNP: More gates opened in Luneta for papal Mass
Authorities on Sunday opened more entrances to the Luneta Park in Manila after several pilgrims waiting for Pope Francis to officiate a Mass there got hurt because of the shoving and jostling.
Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director Leonardo Espina said they opened more than 40 additional entrances to the Quirino Grandstand, from 30 to 72 entrances, to accommodate all those who want to attend the Mass.
"By the sheer volume of people who wanted to occupy the quadrants dinagdagan namin ang open na entrances," said Espina at a briefing, adding the gates were opened hours before the Mass, which is scheduled at 3:15 p.m., to prevent any untoward incident.
Espina said there is no security threat to the papal Mass, the concluding event before Pope Francis ends his five-day visit to the Philippines on Monday morning, January 19.
"We are concerned for the security of the people so we're doing this," Espina said, adding that some 27,000 policemen have been deployed at Luneta and surrounding area to ensure peace and order as well as prevent any stampede.
To further maintain order after the concluding Mass, Espina urged the pilgrims to use the same entrance they used in going in.
"Basta huwag po nating harangan ang daanan at ang dadaanan ng Pope," he said.
Earlier reports said among those hurt in the incident that happened at the Maria Orosa Gate was a 13-year-old boy.
Manila City Disaster Officer Johnny Yu, meanwhile, said that barricades at the Maria Orosa entrance were toppled by the crowd.
Pope Francis is about to celebrate Mass at the grandstand, after an encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in the morning.
Espina also said some 40 LED screens have been scattered around Luneta projecting Pope Francis' concluding Mass. —KBK, GMA News
Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Deputy Director Leonardo Espina said they opened more than 40 additional entrances to the Quirino Grandstand, from 30 to 72 entrances, to accommodate all those who want to attend the Mass.
"By the sheer volume of people who wanted to occupy the quadrants dinagdagan namin ang open na entrances," said Espina at a briefing, adding the gates were opened hours before the Mass, which is scheduled at 3:15 p.m., to prevent any untoward incident.
Espina said there is no security threat to the papal Mass, the concluding event before Pope Francis ends his five-day visit to the Philippines on Monday morning, January 19.
"We are concerned for the security of the people so we're doing this," Espina said, adding that some 27,000 policemen have been deployed at Luneta and surrounding area to ensure peace and order as well as prevent any stampede.
To further maintain order after the concluding Mass, Espina urged the pilgrims to use the same entrance they used in going in.
"Basta huwag po nating harangan ang daanan at ang dadaanan ng Pope," he said.
Earlier reports said among those hurt in the incident that happened at the Maria Orosa Gate was a 13-year-old boy.
Manila City Disaster Officer Johnny Yu, meanwhile, said that barricades at the Maria Orosa entrance were toppled by the crowd.
Pope Francis is about to celebrate Mass at the grandstand, after an encounter with the youth at the University of Santo Tomas in the morning.
Espina also said some 40 LED screens have been scattered around Luneta projecting Pope Francis' concluding Mass. —KBK, GMA News
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