NCRPO chief reminds public: No mass gatherings during Holy Week

NCRPO Director Maj. Gen Debold Sinas. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas on Tuesday reminded the public that mass gatherings such as processions and holding Masses are not allowed during Holy Week in view of the quarantine period to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Sinas said police officers will coordinate with members of the church to halt mass gatherings such as processions and Holy Mass during the Holy Week as the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon continues to be in effect.

“Sa ngayon, we already issued a directive na kung meron pong mass, kausapin yung pari. Dapat wala ring procession dapat kausapin ang pari,” Sinas said during a virtual presser when asked about police deployment during Holy Week.

(For now, we already issued a directive that if there would be a Holy Mass, coordinate with priests. They should also be asking priests that there should be no processions.)

“So pakiusap sa kababayan namin mag self-reflection, magdasal kung pwede sa bahay niyo na lang. Huwag na po kayo lumabas, huwag na kayo magpilit kasi baka masita pa kayo ng kapulisan natin,” Sinas added.

(So we are reminding our countrymen to self-reflect, pray inside your house. Don’t go outside, don’t force it or police will have to accost you.)

Other religious events during Holy Week such as Visita Iglesia or visiting of churches and pabasa or reciting of the Passion of  Christ must also be suspended, Sinas said.

“Actually, nag-usap kami diyan, mukhang walang Bisita Iglesia na ‘yan bawal po yan kasi quarantine pa tayo bawal po lahat yan. Walang prusisyon, walang Bisita Iglesia, walang pabasa. Pwede magpabasa kung diyan lang kayo sa bahay walang problema yan pero kung ipunin mo yung kapitbahay mo, yun po ay bawal,” Sinas said.

(Actually, we already talked about that. There will be no Visita Iglesia, that is not allowed because we are still under quarantine. There are no processions, no Visita Iglesia, no chanting of Passion of Christ. They can pray in their homes but they should not invite their neighbors to gather and engage in a religious event.)

The government recently declared the extension of the enhanced community quarantine period until April 30.

Edited by JPV