Police secure churches for dawn masses

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is deploying at least 60 policemen to guard several parishes in the city as the traditional dawn mass, Misa de Gallo, kicks off today.

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Erson Digal also assures the security of the residents in the province who will attend the dawn masses.

The annual Misa de Gallo starts dawn of December 16 and will be held every dawn until December 25.

Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will hold the first Misa de Gallo at the St. Francis de Assisi Parish at barangay Dumlog, Danao City.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the CCPO’s Intelligence Branch, said the number includes personnel from each of the 11 police stations and special units like the Special Weapon and Tactics Team under CCPO.

Santander said four personnel are tasked to guard the vicinity of each of the big churches in the city where huge crowds are anticipated.

He said all special units were already alerted of their tasks for the Misa de Gallo until the mass on Christmas Eve.

Santander added that they are also giving focus on street gangs which may cause trouble for the solemn activity. For this, patrol cars will be roving an hour before and after the mass.

The police official reminded mass-goers to be extra cautious when they leave their respective houses because thieves and other criminal elements may take advantage when they are not around.

“Siguruon jud na safe ilang mga panimalay ug dili basta-basta makawatan sa mga tulisan before sila mo-attend sa Misa de Gallo,” said Santander. (People should give focus on safety before leaving their houses for the dawn masses.)

Digal, for his part, said he already directed all chiefs of police in the province to maintain peace and order and tap the barangay police for assistance.

Digal, however, said he would no longer put up police assistance centers near the church. He will deploy policemen around the church instead.

“Lain man nang naa ra magpundo, mas maayo kung naa jud sila sa palibot,” he said.

He also urged the public to secure their houses while attending the mass so that burglars would not take advantage.

“Dapat lock ang balay kay mao ni isi-aw sa mga kawatan,” he said, adding that people could also asked a relative to look after their houses.

The public must also be wary against pickpockets in the church, he said.

Danao Police Chief Inspector Eddie Recamara told The FREEMAN that he deployed eight police officers to secure the church but their main problem would be the flow of traffic.

He said they haven’t received a specific instruction regarding Vidal’s escorts but they will maintain a perimeter security and facilitate peace and order for Vidal’s mass in Dumlog. — Niña G. Sumacot and Ria Mae Y. Booc/JPM (THE FREEMAN)