NCRPO chief Sinas: Any form of mass gathering not allowed during Eid’l Fitr

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas on Friday reminded that all forms of mass gathering are not allowed in the observance of Eid’l Fitr or the Feast of Ramadan.

At a press briefing, Sinas said he already talked with Muslim leaders and reminded them that all mosques should remain closed during the holiday because of the still enforced quarantine.

"Every year talagang nagtitipon-tipon ang mga 'yan. Kaya nga ang ginawa namin, kinausap namin ang mga Imams na based sa directive ng IATF, close pa rin 'yung malalaking mosques, wala pa rin pagtitipon kasi 'yun 'yung policy ng IATF," Sinas said.

"Ang sabi ni chief PNP magprepare kami kasi 'yung mga mosques, guwardiyahan atsaka tingnan na 'yung directive ng IATF ay masunod na walang pagtitipon-tipon o pagdadasal..." he added.

Sinas, the cop who was criticized for his birthday celebration despite the quarantine, also said Metro Manila cops would check open spaces including Luneta and Quirino Grandstand.

He said the NCRPO would not deploy cops in mosques but he directed his men to still conduct patrols in the area.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras", the NCRPO sought the assistance of Muslim religious leaders or imams in the distribution of relief packs for Muslims to avoid mass gatherings, a day before the celebration of Eid'l Fitr.

"Karamihan po kasi sila is daily wages tapos siyempre nag-fasting sila, so medyo mahina pa ang galaw. Pinagtuloy na rin nila so ngayon napag-uusapan na tutulong na lang kami para sa pag-recover nila," Sinas said.

The NCRPO said it already left to imams the distribution of aid.

"Para hindi tayo mapulaan, kasi pagka-kwan natin baka mamaya magagalit 'yung gobyerno," Sinas told the Muslim religious leaders.

President Rodrigo Duterte has declared May 25, 2020 a regular holiday because of the Feast of Ramadan.

The Palace stressed that existing community quarantine and social distancing measures must still be observed during the holiday.

Eid’l Fitr is celebrated by the Muslim world for three days after the end of Ramadan, which calls for spiritual reflection through praying, fasting, and abstaining from sinful behavior.  — RSJ/NB, GMA News