Police make rounds on churches to secure Misa de Gallo attendees

Members of the Philippine National Police visited different churches Friday morning to ensure peace and order with the start of the nine-day dawn masses or Misa de Gallo.

In Caloocan City, police and barangay officials checked on people who might start fights as this has been a problem in the previous years, GMA’s Jonathan Andal said in his report on Unang Balita.

The security officers were also on a lookout for snatchers and robbers.

No untoward incident was reported except for a woman who got dizzy while hearing Mass at San Roque Cathedral and assisted by authorities.

Northern Police District chief Police Brigadier General Ponce Rogelio Peñones advised the public not to post on social media their whereabouts.

“Iwasan siguro ‘yung pagpopost na ‘ATM: Andito kami sa simbahan’ and makikita na walang tao sa bahay. Nasa simbahan sila, ‘yung ating kapulisan, hindi lamang dito sa kalsada, kundi dun sa mga subdivision kung saan saan nakatira ang mga tao,” he said.

Manila Police District officers also went to several churches in the city, including Quiapo Church.

Police Captain Roel Robles, Plaza Miranda police community precinct, said they deployed more personnel to secure places of convergence, including churches.

“Nagdagdag po tayo ng kapulisan, naglagay tayo ng police assistance pagpasok pa lang at sa exit, dun din sa Carriedo.  Meron po tayong additional augmentation galing sa district headquarters, sila po ang magpo-police visibility, magpapaalala sa mga maninimba at ilang mamamasyal po dito,” Robles said in an interview with GMA’s Susan Enriquez.

He also reminded the public to continue wearing their face masks and be alert against snatchers and robbers.

“Andyan pa rin ang banta ng pandemya, mag-face mask tayo. ‘Yung mga pupunta dito sa Quiapo whether magsisimba, mamamasyal, mamamalengke, o mamimili, laging pag-iingatan ang inyong gamit, ‘wag po nating bigyan ng oportunidad ang mga kababayan natin na nag-iisip ng masama,” he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News