The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has deployed more than 13,000 of its personnel in various places of convergence in Metro Manila as part of the security measures for the anticipated influx of people during the Christmas season.
NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said priorities in the deployment were places of worship, malls, public markets, major thoroughfares, transportation hubs and terminals.
"We started the deployment on Dec. 1 to cover various aspects of police operation, heightened police presence and respond to other necessary measures for an orderly, peaceful, and safe Yuletide season," said Estomo.
And with the expected increase of people going to churches for the traditional nine-day dawn masses, locally referred to as Simbang Gabi, starting Dec. 16, Estomo has instructed all the five district directors in Metro Manila enforce maximum police visibility around the churches region-wide.
He said this is to ensure the safety of churchgoers especially against criminal elements.
“This is an important Filipino tradition that we cannot afford to miss. We don't have much fret on our security preparation and implementation because of the existing peace and order strategy where our personnel are wide awake even during unholy hour of the day," said Estomo.
"We are prepared to address any security issue that can possibly spoil this event,” he added.
Estomo said Police Assistance Desks (PADs) were also established near the church entrances for immediate attention to any emergency and untoward incident.