Dawn masses start peacefully, health protocols followed: PNP

December 16, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said the first day of Simbang Gabi or Misa De Gallo was generally peaceful and orderly.

“Everything went well on Day 1, we expect it to be better on Day 2, and perhaps even perfectly best in the rest of the nine days until Christmas and through the New Year,” said General Debold Sinas.

Sinas said church officials and local government authorities enforced local ordinances and church policy of physical distancing, and observance of the 30 percent maximum capacity inside churches.

Last December 13, Sinas met with church officials of the Quiapo Basilica and Baclaran Church to expand areas of cooperation and coordination for security and public safety operations for church activities during the holiday season.

Police social-distancing patrollers were on hand to remind church-goers of the minimum public health standards on the use of face masks and face shields, and to observe the physical distancing when in public places.

According to the PNP, Sinas was monitoring the situation in Catholic cathedrals, basilica and churches where local dioceses and parishes held the first of nine-day Simbang Gabi ushering in Christmas Day.

“A system-generated SMS flashed by the PNP Command Center read: “As reported by all PROs, no significant incident was monitored in relation to Simbang-Gabi”,” it said.

PNP unit commanders were instructed to maintain vigilance and readiness to respond throughout the holiday season. Ella Dionisio/DMS