Cops in Metro Manila tighten security for Pacquiao motorcade

Metro Manila police braced themselves Friday for a security nightmare of sorts for the victory motorcade of Filipino boxing champ Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao. In a radio interview, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head Director Roberto Rosales advised well-wishers at the motorcade route to watch their valuables as thieves may strike. "Ang nagiging suliranin pag ganyan, yung crowd control. Lahat naman nagbubunyi at nasisiyahan sa pagsalubong sa kanya. Ito ay matuturing natin na ating bayani dahil binigyan niya ng honor ang lahat na mamamayang Pilipino (Our problem will be crowd control. Everyone is celebrating Pacquiao's return and we understand that because he gave honor to the country)," Rosales said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Pacquiao arrived before dawn Friday aboard a Philippine Airlines PR-103 flight, almost a week after pummeling Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for his unprecedented seventh championship belt. [See: Home is the champ: Pacquiao arrives with Jinkee, entourage]

Rosales said they finalized their security plans Thursday, after getting the itinerary of Pacquiao's motorcade. But he also said their experiences from past Pacquiao motorcades showed thieves and snatchers would strike and take the valuables of well-wishers. "During these occasions, we must take care of our valuables. Thieves take advantage of these occasions, so we must be prepared," Rosales said in Filipino. The motorcade is expected to start at 10 a.m. at the DENR office in Quezon City and pass through major thoroughfares in Metro Manila. Its route includes Quezon Avenue, España, Tondo, Pedro Gil, Taft Avenue, Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue, and the Pag-Ibig Building in Manila. - GMANews.TV