CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The start of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” or dawn Masses in the Caraga region on Dec. 16 was generally peaceful.
Police Regional Office-13 Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer attributed this to the deployment of sufficient personnel as early as 3 a.m. and Police Assistance Desks (PADs) in churches.
The PRO-13 has deployed 2,392 policemen to secure the holiday season in Caraga.
Lawmen are on heightened alert and police were also deployed in transport hubs, sea and airports, and shopping malls and markets.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado IV ordered all regional, provincial, and city mobile force commanders, as well as provincial and city police directors, to be on their posts to immediately address untoward incidents.