MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will monitor mosques and open spaces in Metro Manila to prevent members of the Muslim faith from engaging in mass gatherings during the Eid’l Fitr or the culmination of the Fasting of Ramadan, which is set on May 25, a regular holiday.
“May marching order na yung PNP (Philippine National Police) na yung mga mosque, gwardiyahan at tingnan na yung directive ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) na walang isang pagtitipon para salubungin yung Eid’l Fitr,” Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said in an online press briefing with reporters on Friday.
(There is already a marching order from the PNP that mosques must be guarded and the IATF directive said there should be no mass gathering in observance of Eid’l Fitr.)
“Ni-remind yung mga District Directors na yung mga traditional places na pinuntahan ng Muslim brothers natin to celebrate kagaya ng Luneta, yung Quirino Grandstand, yung open spaces dapat may ilalagay na gwardiya dun na i-remind na bawal po muna ang pagtitipon-tipon, kasi ‘di pa pinayagan ng IATF at saka MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine) tayo,” he added.
(We reminded district directors that traditional places that guards must be stationed in open spaces where Muslim brothers usually visit to celebrate the event like Luneta, Quirino Grandstand to remind that mass gathering is not allowed by the IATF because we are still in MECQ.)
In an advisory from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), it reminded Muslim brothers that areas under MECQ are still prohibited to organize mass gatherings.
“Imams and other religious ministers are allowed to provide home religious services provided that proper health and safety protocols are observed,” read the statement.
Sinas also said he has firm trust that Muslim brothers will follow the IATF directive to prohibit mass gatherings.
“Naniniwala naman ako na they (Muslim brother) will abide by the directive of the government. Kung may report ng pagtitipon, yun ang pupuntahan po namin,” he said.
(I am trusting out Muslim brother will abide by the directive of the government. If there is a report that there are mass gatherings, we will respond to it.)
Under Proclamation 944, President Rodrigo Duterte declared May 25, Monday as a regular holiday in observance of the Eid’l Fitr.