PNP: “We have not recorded any untoward incident related to Simbang Gabi”
PNP – The Philippine National Police recently spoke about the first day of “Simbang Gabi” or the traditional 9-day dawn masses leading to Christmas Day.
On Friday, the PNP declared that the first day of “Simbang Gabi” went “generally peaceful and orderly”.
PNP Spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said that they haven’t recorded any untoward incident related to “Simbang Gabi” from Thursday night (December 15) until this early morning (December 16).
Fajardo added that there was also a sizeable crowd that participated on the first day of “Misa de Gallo” novena masses.
“In the past two years, we never really had any activities like this. Now, this is the first Simbang Gabi event and it was really attended by a lot of people,” Fajardo said.
According to a report, PNP Chief PGen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. placed the entire police organization on “full alert status” as part of initiatives to boost security measures for the holiday season.
READ ALSO: Church Leader Urges Faithful To Observe “Simbang Gabi”
Fajardo also said that the PNP deployed around 30,000 police personnel in 3,700 places of worship nationwide for “Simbang Gabi”.
Mobile and foot patrol personnel were mobilized in order to secure the public in churches and other places of convergence. Police assistance desks were also activated as well.
Azurin, meanwhile, reminded police personnel that all their leaves will be automatically canceled since the Philippine National Police is under “full alert status”.
The PNP chief said that police officers play a crucial role in helping prevent crime and maintaining order during this time as they may also be called upon to assist with crowd management at events, to provide traffic control, and to respond to emergencies.
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