During his visit Pope Francis preached “his usual message of social justice to a crowd of more than five million Filipinos”. On the other hand “some local activists say their own calls for justice were silenced during the papal trip”.
According to activist leader Nato Reyes the Philippine government stopped various groups from trying to tell the pope about the “real situation” of the Philippines. Nato said that the government also reportedly “detained” and “caged” street children a few days before the pope's arrival. On its part, the government said “the strict security detail is a necessary precaution.”