CEBU - Starting yesterday, policemen were deployed in the different churches in the city and province to maintain peace and security during the Misa de Gallo.
Cebu Provincial Police Office director Carmelo Valmoria said they have deployed police personnel in all churches in the province to monitor the safety and security of churchgoers during the entire duration of the nine-day dawn Masses.
He assured that the security will be monitored not only in the churches but also in the communities.
The Misa de Gallo, or the dawn Mass, is a custom practiced by many Filipinos during Christmas season that lasts for nine days, starting on December 15 to until December 24 or the Christmas Eve.
Like in the province, Cebu City Police Office chief Patrocinio Comendador said yesterday that enough police personnel were also deployed in all churches in the city.
Comendador said he ordered all chiefs of the 11 police stations in the city to take charge of all the churches under their area of responsibility.
Mobile Patrol cars are also placed on standby near the churches and civilian volunteers are also visible anywhere to help maintain security and order.
Comendador said that the only problem that they have seen so far after the first Misa de Gallo was the traffic jam created by the churchgoers after the mass. Aside from that, he said they have not received any major complaints or untoward incident so far. —Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot, Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc and Bentley Naire Luyong (CIT Masscom intern)/WAB (THE FREEMAN)