The nationwide observance of “Simbang Gabi” concluded peacefully on Friday midnight, Dec. 24, with churchgoers generally practicing the minimum health standards amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed.
PNP Chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said the traditional nine-day dawn masses leading to Christmas Day culminated with the Christmas eve midnight mass.
“No major untoward incidents were reported by the Police Regional Offices in their respective areas of responsibility,” Carlos said.
However, he acknowledged that last week’s devastation of typhoon “Odette” was a challenge for ground forces to preserve peace and order in the affected communities in the first few days of Simbang Gabi.
“Except for the catastrophic effects of Odette during the opening days of the Misa de Gallo, the traditional novena masses this year were generally peaceful,” the Chief PNP said.
Carlos thanked the stakeholders for working together to ensure that this year’s Christmas traditions will be successfully completed evenamid the pandemic and the recent typhoon.
“The cooperation and support among the police, clergy, local governments, and civilian volunteers made this possible, including the observance of minimum public health standards,” he added.
Carlos previously deployed and alerted police units nationwide to provide security in the vicinity of churches when Simbang Gabi started on Dec. 16.