Police guard churches for pre-dawn Yuletide Masses

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police stepped up patrols around churches across the country at the start of “Simbang Gabi” (pre-dawn Masses) on Friday morning to ensure the safety and security of churchgoers.

PNP Director General Nicanor A. Bartolome inspected several Metro Manila churches to personally assess the implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System in areas where parishioners gather to attend the traditional nine-day “Misa de Gallo.”

The PNP chief ordered all police regional directors to beef up patrols and to maximize police visibility around churches and other crowded places.

Bartolome also instructed field unit commanders to deploy mobile patrol units with blinkers turned on to establish police presence. Officials said this was a proven deterrent to crime.

Local police units were reminded to be on the lookout for criminals engaged in robbery, theft, burglary, mugging, swindling and gang wars.

They were instructed to coordinate closely with barangay or neighborhood authorities to muster support from neighborhood watchmen and citizen volunteers.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesman, said members of the PNP Command Group and Directorial Staff would also conduct unannounced inspections to ensure compliance with the instructions.

Cruz reiterated the warning issued by the PNP leadership against indiscriminate firing of guns by police, military and civilian firearm holders.

The PNP will be uncompromising in enforcing the law against trigger-happy gun holders, Cruz said.