Cebu’s Simbang Gabi “generally peaceful”

CEBU, Philippines — The third day of Simbang Gabi in the Cebu Province is “generally peaceful,” according to Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Roderick Mariano, as a result of their maximum deployment of personnel.

As the annual Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi continues, the CPPO personnel did not let their guards down in manning the 79 churches in the Cebu province, even if there was no any untoward incident reported.

“At since nung first day natin, December 16, so far wala pa tayong na record na isang insidente na tungkol doon sa Simbang Gabi o tungkol sa security preparations,” Mariano told the reporters in a press briefing Wednesday morning.

Mariano said that it is the result of their installations of standby points that corresponds a specific deployment of the police personnel to secure around the area of the churches.

Mariano clarified that they are not only securing big churches but all churches around the cities and municipalities of the Cebu province in coordination with the barangay personnel and the local government units (LGU).

“Hindi lang yong mga malalaking simbahan pero pati na rin ang mga simbahan sa bawat cities and municipalities. Nilagyan natin sila ng mga police na magbabantay sa kanila kasama na rin ating mga force multipliers – yong ating mga BPATS at yong ating mga barangay officials,” he said.

“It is a collaborative effort at concerted effort ng ating mga LGUs at mga community para ma-maintain natin ang security ng ating mga parishioners ng ating mga simbahan,” he added.

Mariano is hopeful to continue the security measures they have implemented to conclude a generally peaceful Simbang Gabi until the last day of its observance.

“Tuloy-tuloy yan hanggang matapos natin ating Simbang Gabi hanggang sa ating New Year’s preparation naman,” Mariano said.

Even if there were no reports received on the security of the Simbang Gabi, Mariano assured that they will still be intensifying their monitoring in the churches.

“Kaya pinaigting natin ang maximum presence ng ating mga kapulisan sa mga simbahan.  So far, wala tayong reklamo ng natatanggap pa at maayos naman ang ating security preparations para sa ating Simbang Gabi,” he said.

Meanwhile, in line with the 26th anniversary of the CPP-NPA, Mariano emphasized that there will be no changes in their security preparations.

He said they will still maximize their deployment in every department of the PNP pyramid, especially in the coastal areas.

“Part ng ating task force ang to end local communist conflict.  Kasama sya sa pinupuntahan natin, even though na iniikutan lagi sila ng mga kapulisan natin, it is part of our deployment plan,” Mariano said.

Cebu’s Simbang Gabi “generally peaceful”

Iris Hazel M. Mascardo

CEBU, Philippines — The third day of Simbang Gabi in the Cebu Province is “generally peaceful,” according to Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Roderick Mariano, as a result of their maximum deployment of personnel.

As the annual Filipino tradition of Simbang Gabi continues, the CPPO personnel did not let their guards down in manning the 79 churches in the Cebu province, even if there was no any untoward incident reported.

“At since nung first day natin, December 16, so far wala pa tayong na record na isang insidente na tungkol doon sa Simbang Gabi o tungkol sa security preparations,” Mariano told the reporters in a press briefing Wednesday morning.

Mariano said that it is the result of their installations of standby points that corresponds a specific deployment of the police personnel to secure around the area of the churches.

Mariano clarified that they are not only securing big churches but all churches around the cities and municipalities of the Cebu province in coordination with the barangay personnel and the local government units (LGU).

“Hindi lang yong mga malalaking simbahan pero pati na rin ang mga simbahan sa bawat cities and municipalities. Nilagyan natin sila ng mga police na magbabantay sa kanila kasama na rin ating mga force multipliers – yong ating mga BPATS at yong ating mga barangay officials,” he said.

“It is a collaborative effort at concerted effort ng ating mga LGUs at mga community para ma-maintain natin ang security ng ating mga parishioners ng ating mga simbahan,” he added.

Mariano is hopeful to continue the security measures they have implemented to conclude a generally peaceful Simbang Gabi until the last day of its observance.

“Tuloy-tuloy yan hanggang matapos natin ating Simbang Gabi hanggang sa ating New Year’s preparation naman,” Mariano said.

Even if there were no reports received on the security of the Simbang Gabi, Mariano assured that they will still be intensifying their monitoring in the churches.

“Kaya pinaigting natin ang maximum presence ng ating mga kapulisan sa mga simbahan.  So far, wala tayong reklamo ng natatanggap pa at maayos naman ang ating security preparations para sa ating Simbang Gabi,” he said.

Meanwhile, in line with the 26th anniversary of the CPP-NPA, Mariano emphasized that there will be no changes in their security preparations.

He said they will still maximize their deployment in every department of the PNP pyramid, especially in the coastal areas.

“Part ng ating task force ang to end local communist conflict.  Kasama sya sa pinupuntahan natin, even though na iniikutan lagi sila ng mga kapulisan natin, it is part of our deployment plan,” Mariano said. (FREEMAN)