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NCRPO full alert for ‘Simbang Gabi’

December 14, 2023 Alfred P. Dalizon 465 views

NCRPONATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has placed the Metro Manila police force on full alert as the traditional 9-day ‘Simbang Gabi’ begins today, Dec. 16.

The official said he has instructed all five NCRPO districts to ensure their men will strictly watch the evening and dawn masses in different Catholic churches.

Full alert status means all passes and leaves will be canceled. Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. has also ordered a full alert status across the country to ensure there will be readily available police personnel for deployment.

The top cop maintained the police force remained on top of the situation and are currently implementing stringent security measures to address all threats posed by criminals, terrorists and other lawless elements.

Maj. Gen. Nartatez said that as part of their ‘Simbang Gabi’ security, uniformed NCRPO personnel will be deployed around the churches. Officers who are Catholics are also allowed to attend the dawn masses.

The Metro Manila police chief allayed public fears there is a security threat in Metro Manila and explained that the upgraded security alert is normal in the PNP.

PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean S. Fajardo also issued the same statement but maintained everybody needs to be vigilant nowadays.

Apart from securing places of worship, police are also watching over all places of major convergence, including airports, seaports, bus terminals, public markets, shopping malls and hotels.

Dog sniffers and bomb disposal experts have also been deployed in the streets as part of the tight security.

According to Col. Fajardo, the PNP chief has ordered intensified police visibility and preventive patrol operations to ensure public safety for the ‘Simbang Gabi.’

The official said that as part of the PNP’s Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2023, around 39,000 policemen would be deployed nationwide for law enforcement and public safety operations.

Police would be getting ample support from the Armed Forces, local government units and other ‘force multipliers’ during the period.

Nartatez also called on Metro Manila residents and visitors to remain vigilant and always be ready to report suspicious activities in the streets and their neighborhood in the aftermath of the Mindanao State University gym bombing.

“The National Capital Region Police Office is saddened and our hearts go out to the victims and their families affected by this senseless act of violence and the safety and well-being of our community members remain our top priority,” said the official.

“I have ordered a comprehensive risk and threat assessment and intensified counter-intelligence efforts within the region to deter possible unscrupulous individuals from carrying out their illegal or terroristic acts,” said the NCRPO director.

Nartatez said they understand that the MSU gymnasium bombing has caused fear and concern among Metro Manila residents and thus, he called on the public to fully cooperate with their security measures.

“We therefore encourage Metro Manila residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or you can reach or communicate through our NCRPO text hotlines, Globe 09158888181 and Smart 09999018181,” he said.

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