Jan 132015
President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday night personally inspected the dry run of the convoy that would secure Pope Francis upon his arrival in the Philippines on Jan. 15.
Aquino joined officials including interior secretary Manuel Roxas II at the route from Villamor Air Base to the Apostolic Nunciature, radio dzBB’s Manny Vargas reported.
He also joined the inspection of the Light Rail Transit station at Quirino Avenue, which is near the papal nunciature where the pope will stay during his visit.
During the inspection, portions of roads at the route of the papal convoy near the nunciature were closed.
Tuesday night’s dry run is the last before the pope’s arrival on Thursday afternoon. The pope will stay in the Philippines until Jan. 19.
During his stay, the pope will have events in Metro Manila and Leyte.
Meanwhile, streets near the Manila Cathedral were also closed since 8 p.m. Tuesday, dzBB’s James Agustin reported.
Streets closed included A. Soriano Avenue corner Cabildo and General Luna near Plaza Roma. — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News
