PNP says Christmas celebration peaceful

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) described as generally peaceful the celebration of Christmas Day last Tuesday despite several fire incidents that killed at least seven persons.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima ordered all policemen nationwide to continue monitoring the situation and conduct proactive police action to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the holidays, said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr.

“There were reported incidents like the fire in Quezon City. By and large though, the country’s Christmas celebration can be considered peaceful,” Cerbo told The STAR.

Since Dec. 23, the PNP placed majority of the regions on heightened alert to ensure a hassle-free celebration of the holidays.

Cerbo said Purisima ordered police regional offices in Luzon and the Visayas to observe a heightened alert while the Mindanao police region remained on full alert.

He noted the heightened alert status took effect at 5 p.m. on Dec. 23 as many people started making preparations for Christmas Day.

He noted that the alert status could be lowered or raised by the regional police directors, depending on the prevailing situation in their area of jurisdictions.

Aside from the Luzon and Visayas police regional offices, Cerbo said also place on heightened alert are the PNP support units, particularly the Special Action Force (SAF), the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the Criminal investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).

The PNP spokesman also reminded the public to observe measures so as not to fall prey to criminals during the holidays, especially if they are leaving their houses unattended.

He added that the PNP distributed leaflets to the public to give them guidelines to protect themselves from criminals who might take advantage of the holidays.

Meanwhile, an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) yesterday said that godchildren have until New Year’s Day to receive their gifts.

CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Family and Life (ECFL) executive secretary Fr. Melvin Castro said the spirit of gift giving for Christmas does not end on Dec. 25. Godchildren could still receive gifts until Jan.1, or eight days after Christmas. – With Evelyn Macaira