Government efforts to secure Pope Francis were effective, Palace official says

Following the successful state and pastoral visit of Pope Francis, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that the government's efforts to secure the Pontiff were effective.

 “Ayon mismo kay Pangulong Aquino, ang mga batid ng ating mga intelligence agencies ay ang tinawag niyang ‘generic threats’ at hindi mga ‘specific threats’,” Secretary Coloma said.

“Ang lahat ng mga banta na natutukan at napagalaman ay siniyasat, at nakita naman natin na sa buong kaganapan ng pagdalaw ng Santo Papa ay hindi naman ito nagambala sa anumang paraan,” he said, reassuring the public that the authorities have been looking into and will always check any security threat.

After his five-day visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis safely returned to Rome on board Philippine Airlines Flight PR 801, arriving at the Ciampino Airport at 12:40 a.m. Tuesday (Jan. 20), Philippine time. (PCOO News Release)