Security plans up for dawn Masses

The Police Regional Office (PRO)7 will be on heightened alert to ensure the safety of the people as the annual dawn Masses start tomorrow.

"The whole of Negros Oriental will be on full alert effective on the start of Simbang Gabi," PRO7 Director Debold Sinas said.

Negros has been categorized as "orange" in the elections' watchlist for the coming 2019 midterm elections, which means that the area had reports of presence of armed groups in the past elections.

The full alert in Negros Oriental is also in relation to the MO 32 (Memorandum Order No. 32) issued by the president wherein additional troops are deployed in some parts of the country to suppress lawless violence.

According to Sinas, personnel in full alert will not have a break, although he understands that policemen need to celebrate also.

For Negros, arrangements have been made and he said that at least 70 percent should be working.

"Kasi pag full alert kasi, bawal na mag-leave except emergency. Bawal na uli-uli. So, naa nay arrangement didto na at least 70 percent of their people should be intact in the station at one night," Sinas said.

He added that the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral would be holding two masses this year.

"Accordingly, we will have two mass sa main cathedral nato – 2 a.m. at tyaka 4 a.m. We'll be enforcing more people didto to secure the area," he said.

Sinas also said that his policemen have been asked to attend a seminar on the policy in the sale and use of firecrackers.

"Nagpa-seminar nami sa among mga police. Atong FEO-7 (Firearms and Explosive Office -7) nag seminar na sila regarding sa policy on the sale at use of firecrackers. We are also informing all our policemen to abide with the local firecracker ordinances," he said.

Meanwhile, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Director Julian Entoma said all patrol cars from six police stations will be used in preparation for the Misa de Gallo.

He added that barangay tanods in every barangays will be tapped to roam and monitor their areas.

"Dunay patrol car beside sa police assistance desks sa simbahan. Adto sad sila mag-conduct og mobiling sa area sa entrance or sa exit," he said.

As early as 2 a.m., the people will start going to church in order for them to secure a seat before the mass will start at 4:30 a.m., according to Entoma who already instructed the police to be vigilant on the street.

Aside from the patrol vehicles, the tactical motorcycle response unit of MCPO will be deployed to secure the safety of churchgoers until the Christmas novena mass will end.

MCPO will be on full alert status starting today.

There will be another team that will be assigned to duty for New Year.