AN airport policeman who was carrying his 9mm service pistol was arrested on Thursday evening while attempting to cross a concrete barrier near the Manila Domestic Airport.
The policeman told investigators he wanted to get a closer look at the papal motorcade.
The motorcade was scheduled to pass the area at between 6 and 6:30 p.m.
The Sri Lanka Airlines Airbus A340, bearing the pope, landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) at 5:25 p.m.
After a brief welcome ceremony at the 250th Presidential Airlift Wing hangar in Villamor Air Base, the papal entourage proceeded to the Apostolic Nunciature, passing through Sales Street and then on to the Manila Domestic Airport Road, before proceeding toward Roxas Boulevard.
The Naia Media Affairs Division identified the arrested policeman as Cpl. Virgilio Perez of the Manila International Airport Authority.
Perez told Pasay City police investigators that he badly wanted to cross the barrier to get a closer look at the pope.
The authorities earlier declared that it would be illegal to cross the barrier for security reasons.
However, when Perez insisted on going through, the police arrested him and found the pistol and a magazine with 14 rounds of ammunition in his backpack.
Perez was not on duty when arrested. He was not in uniform and, thus, not allowed to carry
a gun.
He is now facing charges for violating Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.