PNP PIO PR
The first night of the traditional Misa de Gallo novena was generally peaceful and orderly.
This was the assessment of PNP Chief, Police General Debold M. Sinas as he noted field reports of orderly “ Simbang-Gabi” dawn masses in Catholic churches in key cities across the country.
Thru the PNP Command Center, Sinas was in constant hourly monitor of the situation in Catholic cathedrals, basilica and churches where local diocese and parishes held the first of 9-day traditional “Simbang-Gabi” ushering Christmas Day.
A system-generate SMS flashed by the PNP Command Center read: “As reported by all PROs, no significant incident was monitored in relation to Simbang-Gabi.”
“Everything went well on Day 1, we expect it to be better on Day 2, and perhaps even perfectly best in the rest of the nine days until Christmas and through the New Year,” he said.
The Chief PNP said, church officials and local government authorities effectively enforced local ordinances and church policy of physical distancing, and observance of the 30% maximum capacity inside churches.
Last Sunday, December 13, the Chief PNP met with church officials of the Quiapo Basilica and Baclaran Church to expand areas of cooperation and coordination for security and public safety operations for church activities during the Holiday Season.
Police social-distancing patrollers were on hand to remind church-goers of the minimum public health standards on the use of face mask and face shield, and to observe the physical distancing when in public places.
PNP Units commanders were instructed to maintain vigilance and readiness to respond to situations throughout the Holiday Season.