The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to heighten its visibility in public places on Wednesday, not because of Valentine’s Day but because of the annual Ash Wednesday, its public information officer said Monday.
“Let’s take note that the celebration of Valentine’s Day also coincides with the celebration of Ash Wednesday for the Catholic faithful,” Chief Insp. Bryan Gregorio of the PNP Public Information Office said in a press briefing.
“So on the part of the PNP, dahil simula nito, marami pupunta ng simbahan (as this starts, a lot of people would go to churches), we’ll be doing the same thing on deployment ng ating kapulisan sa mga simbahan (of the police in churches),” he added.
The officer explained that because of the two events on Wednesday, a huge crowd is expected to flock malls and churches.
The 40-day Lenten season commences on Wednesday, a day in which Catholics are asked to devote to fasting, reconciliation, and prayer. /je