‘Start of simbang gabi peaceful’

MANILA, Philippines — The start of the nine-day simbang gabi or dawn masses has been peaceful despite restrictions as the entire country remains under Alert Level 2 and the onslaught of Typhoon Odette.

Citing reports from personnel on the ground, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos said there was no report of any untoward incident.

He attributed the peaceful situation to heightened police presence in the vicinity of churches and the cooperation of the public.

“We can only do so much. The discipline shown by churchgoers greatly contributed to the safe and peaceful celebration of the dawn masses,” Carlos said.

At least 28,684 police personnel and 67,565 force multipliers were deployed to secure Catholic churches nationwide.

Carlos reminded devotees that minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and physical distancing should be observed at all times.

“We don’t want to lower our guard at this time when the Omicron variant has been detected in two travelers who arrived in the country,” he said.

Carlos said local government units augmented security forces to ensure a smooth flow of vehicular and foot traffic around churches.