Security measures in place for Misa de Gallo

CEBU, Philippines - Expect at least four policemen deployed at every church in Cebu City throughout the duration of the Misa de Gallo or Rooster Masses, which will start December 16.

Senior Superintendent Mariano Batiancila Jr., officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Police Office, has specifically instructed this to station commanders as part of the security preparations for the holiday revelries.

Batiancila said he issued a directive to the different station chiefs to coordinate with the parish pastoral council of every church in their areas of responsibility.

Aside from that, he also tasked the station chiefs to work together with the parish security groups and other force multipliers, as well as talk to barangay captains so village tanods can be tapped as augmentation force in the churches.

He also said he directed his men to park their mobile patrols in places accessible to people who might ask for help.

Batiancila identified churches that need attention because of their relatively bigger size compared to other parishes in the city. These are the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, and the parishes of Sto. Rosario, Sacred Heart, Lourdes, Redemptorist, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, St. Therese and Sto. Tomas de Villanueva.

The police official urged the public to be very vigilant and security conscious during the nine-day Misa de Gallo while he assured to prevent petty crimes from their end.

He strongly advised the faithful not to bring any jewelry or gadgets that can lure criminals who might take advantage of the situation.

“Mao na’y atong gilantaw, gipangandaman ang petty crimes… Ato lang hangyo, dili magdala og mahalon nga butang nga makatintal sa mga hilabtanon,” Batiancila said.

He said even if CCPO has not monitored any threats for the yuletide season, they will conti-nue to monitor and assess possible threats.

“Padayon gihapon na nato (ang pag-monitor), wala nato hunongi kay karong panahona mao sa’y ilang i-siaw sugod last week sukad nag-declare og heightened alert status,” he said.

Misa de Gallo is a Filipino Roman Catholic tradition which can be traced to the Spanish colonial era when Filipino laborers were made to hear the Masses during dawn.

At that time, the Philippine clergy was reportedly given permission by Pope Sixtus V to celebrate the Masses before sunrise to give way for the laborers to get to their work in the farm fields on time. — (FREEMAN)