PNP intensifies measures to secure churches, crowd

CEBU, Philippines — As the traditional Misa de Gallo officially starts today, the police have intensified security measures to heightened alert status to ensure the safety of churchgoers nationwide.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reportedly deployed over 70,000 police personnel to major churches and other places of religious convergence starting today (December 16), continuing through December 24 for Christmas Eve.

PNP acting Chief, Police/Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., reaffirmed the national police force’s commitment to public safety and security for the much-anticipated religious activity ahead of Christmas on December 25.

"Our goal is to make our kababayan feel safe as they go to the church for the traditional ‘Simbang Gabi’, and back to their homes. We are ready, and we are committed to contributing to a meaningful Christmas for everybody through improved peace and order measures,” said Nartatez in a statement issued earlier on Sunday (December 14).

Nartatez stated that the Philippine National Police (PNP) will focus on preventing crimes such as theft, pickpocketing, and traffic congestion in crowded areas.

He emphasized the importance of police vigilance against fire hazards and other emergencies near churches and their surrounding streets, where increased police visibility is essential.

To enhance security, the PNP will implement measures including foot patrols, checkpoints, and mobile units around churches. They will also strengthen coordination with local government units, barangay officials, and church authorities to effectively manage the influx of millions of Catholic devotees across the country.

In Cebu City, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has also raised its operations to full alert status with a total of 574 law enforcement personnel deployed across 34 major and minor Catholic churches.

Police/Lieutenant Colonel Jose Los Baños, CCPO’s information officer, said these personnel will be detailed at 3 a.m. today—an hour earlier before dawn masses start.

Los Baños also said that they had already coordinated with all 13 police stations to enforce security measures in every barangay under their jurisdiction.

He added that the CCPO established a police assistance desk within the vicinity of every church and has also enhanced the existing elevated police outposts by deploying additional policemen.

“Actually, in place (ug) existing naman atong elevated outposts. So, atong gihimo gipun-an lang nato ang deployment kada simbahan,” Los Baños said in an interview yesterday (December 15).

With the city police force on full-alert status, all personnel are prohibited from taking their days off and leave, except for those with medical and emergency reasons, said Los Baños.

To avoid the occurence of theft in houses, which are often left unattended by families attending the dawn masses, Los Baños reminded the public to make sure their houses are properly locked and secured.

Public help needed

While admitting that the number of deployed police officers is limited, he called on the residents to help in preventing unwanted incidents in their community.

“Sa akong gika-ingon, dile lang ta mosalig gyud sa number sa atoang personnel na naka-deploy. Kulang man gyud ta sa kapulisan. So, tabang lang gyud ta sa kapulisan,” said Los Baños.

“Kung ‘duna silay mga namatikdan nga katidad-an, please feel free to contact our station or any police personnel nga naka-deploy within the area,” he added, urging them to immediately report any suspicious activities to authorities.

Nonetheless, Los Baños assured that CCPO will also deploy its mobile patrols and motorcycle patrol units to conduct roving inspections in the corner areas in the city.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Councilor Paul Labra II also acknowledged the same concern, saying that the City Police needs more manpower to further ensure safety and security during the observation of Misa de Gallo.

“Mao sab na among problemaha sa mga Misa de Gallo. Nanginahanglan man gyud na sila og tabang ang atong kapulisan sa pagbantay sa atong mga simbahan,” said Labra in a separate interview.

Labra, chairman of the City Council’s peace and order committee, asserted that additional volunteers and force multipliers from the Oplan Pakigsandurot program will also assist in maintaining the safety and security at the barangay level.

“Ang atoang mga force multipliers nga anaa karon nagtabang diha sa program sa Oplan Pakigsandurot maoy mu-asister sa atoang mga kapulisan sa pagbantay sa atoang mga simbahan, ilabi na gyud sa panahon sa pagpahigayon sa mga misa or the Misa de Gallo,” he said.

To note, Oplan Pakigsandurot is a community-based anti-criminality program in the city aimed to build stronger connections between the barangay, police, and the city government.

Led by Labra, the said program was revitalized earlier in July this year. It was first launched in 2001 under the administration of then city mayor and now the incumbent Vice Mayor Tomas “Tommy” Osmeña.

Traffic management

To maintain the smooth traffic flow during Misa de Gallo, the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) will deploy a total of 60  personnel to churches in urban areas of the city.

CTTO Head, Raquel Arce, told The Freeman that in every church, at least two personnel will be stationed to enforce traffic rules and ensure vehicles are properly parked at the designated parking areas, which she referred to as a common violation.

“Ang kasagaran nga violation nga atong ma-incur dihang dapita during Misa de Gallo ang kaning pagpataka og parking. Mao jud na,” Arce stressed.

She explained that the CCTO will only allow vehicles to park as long as the traffic flow is not blocked, which may cause road congestion.

“For the parking—kung wala lay obstruction o dile lang maka obstruct sa flow sa traffic, wala ta’y problema dihang dapita (ug) pwede ‘to na ma-tolerate,” said Arce. “But kung ang iyahang pag-park naa sa gamay nga dan o hagip-ot na dan unya nakabara na siya sa flow sa traffic—kana, di sab gyud na pwede,” she added.

Furthermore, Arce warned motorists that CCTO will issue citation tickets against those who violate traffic rules.

Apart from enforcing traffic laws, Arce highlighted that CCTO personnel are also tasked to assist the public in safely crossing the street also with the help of the barangay police security officers or the “tanods.”

Mandaue City police actions

The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has prepared the deployment of its personnel starting today (December 16), the opening of the Misa de Gallo, until the New Year to ensure public safety during the holiday season.

MCPO spokesperson, Police/Lt. Col. Mercy Villaro, said at least 300 police officers are on standby for deployment across the city. She said police presence will be concentrated in at least 10 identified areas, particularly churches and gymnasiums, where dawn masses will be held.

These include St. Joseph Parish in Barangay Centro, Christ the King Parish in Barangay Alang-alang, San Roque Parish in Barangay Subangdaku, Fatima Parish in Barangay Basak, Sto. Niño Parish in Barangay Paknaan, Holy Family Parish in Barangay Maguikay, Gethsemane Church, and the Nativity of Mary Parish Church, as well as gymnasiums in Barangays Looc and Umapad.

Aside from these places, Villaro said police personnel will also be deployed to malls, transport terminals, and public markets, where large crowds are expected during the holidays.

She added that the number of personnel assigned to each area may be adjusted depending on the assessment of station commanders on the ground. ?Additional police officers will be deployed as needed based on the situation in specific areas. ?Villaro said there are also police officers on standby who can be immediately deployed if the need arises.

While some personnel will be stationed in public areas, other officers will conduct roving patrols in residential areas in coordination with barangay force multipliers to ensure the security of homes while residents attend Simbang Gabi.

The MCPO is currently under normal alert status but remains ready to elevate its security posture should regional or national authorities raise the alert level. ?MCPO aims to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of the holiday season, similar to previous years, said Villaro. — (FREEMAN)