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The Chief of the PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP), Debold Sinas, ordered the police commanders to ensure that health protocols will continue to be observed during the Misa de Gallo, known locally as Simbang Gabi.
Sinas said that Simbang Gabi’s conduct must be in accordance with the protocols established by the Inter-Institutional Working Group for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) in mass meetings, such as the observance of physical distancing, the use of face masks. . and face shield and the number of attendees must be limited to 30 percent of the capacity of the place.
He said the number of people attending the Gallo Mass should be controlled to ensure that the IATF-EID guidelines are being followed.
“All police chiefs, municipal and provincial directors were ordered to coordinate with the rectors and parish priests at the Gallo Mass, locally called Simbang Gabi, to enforce the directive of the IATF,” Sinas said.
He thanked the church leaders for complying with the government directive to ensure the safety of the public and prevent the spread of the virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
But he said they will continue to deploy more police near the church in anticipation of any eventuality, which includes criminal incidents such as assault, scam, gang wars, robbery and theft, and theft of neglected residences.
“In fact, they have done their best to limit. Even the priests and laity have prevented the devotees from entering and following the proper guidelines. We are happy about that, ”he said.
“The less intervention of the police within and within the perimeter of the Church, the better. So far, our commanders in the future are implementing and coordinating, ”he added.
Simbang Gabi, a Philippine tradition in which the faithful attend pre-dawn Masses in the nine days leading up to Christmas Day, will begin Wednesday, December 16 at dawn.
Meanwhile, Sinas said police were also keeping an eye on the holidays, which are banned this Christmas season due to the Covid-19 threat.
He said that arrests can be made against violators, but it still depends on the discernment of police commanders.
“The directive has been issued, guidelines have been issued, a pronouncement has been issued, nandun na lahat yan and I think our commanders are doing well to implement it well. Now kung may nakiusap sa kanila, nasa kanila po yun hindi ba already know kung ano po ang mga specific instructions, ok. So we leave it to them, they are already equipped with the different directives, so they already know what to do, ”said Sinas. (SunStar Philippines)
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