PNP Chief Director General Oscar D Albayalde ordered Saturday to step-up police visibility to ensure safety and security of church-goers attending the traditional “Simbang Gabi” that starts tomorrow Dec 16.
Albayalde expects field commanders will make inspection rounds in churches around the metropolis and suburbs on Sunday to assess the implementation of beat patrol and mobile patrol operations. Parishioners will attend the traditional nine-day dawn masses or Misa de Gallo ushering Christmas Day.
The Chief PNP instructed all Police Regional Directors to redirect police patrol operations to maximize police visibility around churches where Simbang Gabi is being held.
“This is an important Filipino tradition that we cannot afford to miss. We are prepared to address any security issue that can possibly spoil this event,” the Chief PNP said.
Albayalde specifically instructed field unit commanders to deploy mobile patrol units with blinkers turned on to visibly establish police presence but not necessarily creating undue alarm to the public.
Local police units were also reminded to be on the lookout for criminal elements engaged in common street crimes such as robbery, theft, burglary of unattended residences, mugging, swindling and gang wars.
Local police units were instructed to coordinate closely with barangay authorities to muster support from village watchmen, citizen volunteers and other force multipliers to serve as marshalls.
Albayalde said selected members of the PNP Command Group and Directorial Staff designated as area supervisors will conduct random inspection to determine compliance of PNP units. (Jess Malabanan)