PALO, Leyte- His pocket is filled with candies and packs of crackers. These would sustain SPO1 J.M. Epidida as he and hundred of fellow policemen conducted a dry-run of the Pope’s motorcade.
Pope Francis, who is arriving today in Leyte, would go on a motorcade to Palo after saying Mass at the Tacloban airport.
Espidida, like the other policemen, would form a human chain with their backs against the road as the Pope’s convoy makes its way.
He said he is ready to endure either the heat or rain and stand in attention for up to eight hours just to help secure the Pope.
Espidida who is from the Quezon Provincial Police Office is among those sent to Leyte to augment the local police force in securing the Holy Father’s visit. He said he volunteered to get the assignment.
“This is a way for me to see the Pope. If did not volunteer then I would only be staying at the station,” he added.