‘Generally peaceful’

The Christmas celebration in Metro Manila was generally peaceful.

This was the assessment made by Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco, who said no major incidents, including the indiscriminate firing of guns, had been reported to his office as of yesterday.

"We put the peace and order situation under control for Christmas Day," said Velasco as he credited community cooperation in achieving the feat.

Citing reports from the tactical operations center of the of National Capital Regional Police Office, Superintendent Julius Abanes said only a few fire incidents and criminal cases were recorded in the five police districts of Metro Manila during the Christmas celebration.

"The people slept soundly because their police are on top of the situation," Abanes told The Star.

Velasco also congratulated the directors of the five police districts for "a job well-done."

"Peaceful ang celebration ay dahil sa sipag at tiyaga ng kapulisan natin," he said.

Velasco pointed out, however, that the security arrangements employed on Christmas Day will be duplicated in today’s 34th founding anniversary celebration of the communist movement.

"We passed our first test (Christmas Day celebration) with flying colors but this does not mean that we can now lower our guard," said Velasco, noting that the police remains on red alert today to thwart possible attacks by communist rebels.

Earlier, the police received raw intelligence information that New People’s Army (NPA) rebels would launch attacks to mark their anniversary and embarrass the Arroyo government.

"We are ready to face them (NPA rebels) anywhere," Velasco said during a TV interview. "Let’s see if they can carry out their threat."