7,000 cops deployed in Metro Manila for ‘Simbang Gabi’

MANILA, Philippines — Around 7,000 policemen were deployed in Metro Manila to secure churches and other places of convergence during the traditional Simbang Gabi or dawn mass, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.

Albayalde attended the dawn mass yesterday together with his family at the St. Joseph Chapel at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“In Metro Manila alone, we deployed thousands of uniformed personnel to protect the public,” he said.

The PNP also tapped some 7,000 multipliers to help authorities secure churchgoers during the nine-day masses, which ends on Dec. 24.

Albayalde said police assistance desks were put up near churches and public places such as shopping malls to ensure the availability of law enforcers during emergencies.

“We intend to replicate this in other regions,” he said.

The PNP chief earlier ordered tighter security around churches to prevent any untoward incident during the Simbang Gabi.

“This is an important Filipino tradition that we could not afford to miss. We are prepared to address security issues that can disrupt the event,” he said.

Albayalde directed local police units to be on the lookout for “Akyat Bahay” gangmembers, robbers, snatchers and swindlers.

‘No threat’

The PNP has not monitored any security threat from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), saying that preparations are part of proactive measures to secure the public.

Albayalde, however, said they are monitoring the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, which is set to commemorate its founding anniversary on Dec. 26.

“These are all part of our target hardening measures para hindi tayo masingitan,” he said.

Church thanks PNP

Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle thanked the PNP for putting in place security measures during the observance of Simbang Gabi.

Tagle relayed his message to National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar before celebrating dawn mass at the Manila Cathedral yesterday.

Eleazar checked security preparations by police in churches in Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, Binondo and Intramuros in Manila.

The first dawn mass was generally peaceful, he said.

There are around 290 churches in the metropolis. – With Non Alquitran