All is set for the arrival of Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao today as at least 3,500 policemen, 550 of them from the Manila Police District, will be deployed to secure the hero’s welcome that awaits him following his victory over Mexican Erik Morales.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) even created a special security force, dubbed as Task Force Pacquiao, which was assigned to secure the parade routes in Manila and Quezon City.
“We are all set. The police will be there mainly for crowd control,” said Director Vidal Querol, NCRPO chief.
Querol said troops from the task force would also guard the areas where Pacquiao is expected to drop by such as the Malaca?ang, the Manila City Hall and the Rajah Solaiman Park in Malate, Manila.
Pacquiao is scheduled to meet President Arroyo as soon as he arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 and will proceed next to the Manila City Hall where Manila Mayor Lito Atienza will welcome him.
Pacquiao, it was recalled, was named as adopted son of Manila.
After the two visits, a ticker tape parade will ensue which will snake through Manila and some parts of Quezon City. A street party will be held at the Rajah Solaiman Park later that day.
Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong, Manila Police District director, said about 550 policemen will be deployed to secure Pacquiao when he leads the street party tonight (Friday) at the Rajah Sulayman in Malate, Manila which will be attended by President Arroyo.
Bulaong directed Superintendent Co Yee Co, of the MPD mobile patrol unit, to implement the security measures along the route of Pacquiao.
”A world champion like Pacquiao deserves the best welcome we could offer. Aside from our duty to maintain peace and order, the security program that we put up for the parade of the Team Pacquiao is the MPD’s show of appreciation to the laudable act of our very own Pacquiao,” Bulaong said.
The parade will kick off at Manila city hall heading straight to Jones Bridge, then right on Escolta to Plaza Santa Cruz, straight on Dasma-ri?as, right on Quintin Paredes, right on Reigna Regente, and left on Recto.
The parade turns right on Delpan, left on Zaragosa, right on R-10, right on Moriones, left on Juan Luna, right on Tayuman, right on Forbes, left on Laong Laan, right in Blumentritt, left on Espa?a, straight on Quezon Avenue, right on Scout Chuatoco, left to Mother Ignacia, right on Scout Esguerra, right on Eugenio Lopez, and left on Timog.
It resumes by turning right on EDSA, right on Kamu-ning, left on To-mas Mo-rato, right on E. Rod-riguez, left on Araneta, right on Aurora Boulevard (Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard), left on Nagtahan, right on Zamora to Pe?afrancia, left on Pedro Gil, right on Onyx to Dagonoy Market.
