Tightened security for Simbang Gabi only a preventive measure — Albayalde

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has clarified that the intensified security measures placed as Catholics take part in Aguinaldo masses or “Simbang Gabi” was only to prevent untoward incidents.

Albayalde maintained that they have not monitored any solid threat to security for the Christmas season.

“Wala naman tayong namo-monitor, these are all part of our target-hardening measures para hindi tayo masingitan,” Albayalde said after the PNP’s Simbang Gabi at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sunday.

“Alam naman natin na yung threat sa leftist (forces) and threat sa terrorism, alam naman natin na nandyan ‘yan so hindi tayo pwede maging complacent,” he added.

Previously, Albayalde ordered police officials and officers nationwide to implement a heightened security by increasing police visibility in order to protect churchgoers.

He also instructed field commanders to deploy mobile patrol units to establish police presence.

“Yes actually nationwide ‘yan in all the major places of convergence, sa malalaking churches meron tayong tinatalagang mga police assistance desks, and of course ‘yung mga police visibility,” he explained.

“Dito sa Metro Manila alone accordingly may mga deployment sila around 7,000 uniformed personnel plus another more 7,000 stakeholders or mga force multipliers natin,” he noted.

Aguinaldo Masses, also know as Misa de Gallo, are a series of nine early morning masses leading up to Christmas Day, starting from December 16 to December 24. /je

READ: PNP chief orders tighter security for Simbang Gabi