Simbang Gabi—the traditional nine-day dawn masses that Catholics go to during Christmas season—started today. That also means more work for the Southern Police District (SPD). The SPD covers the following areas: Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Taguig, and the municipality of Pateros.
“The SPD has beefed security at various churches in southern Metro Manila and, as such, they have set up police assistance desks will be set up at major churches such as the Baclaran Church (the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help),” reports Mike Frialde in The Philippine Star.
The the entire police force will also be under red alert starting Dec 23 until Jan 3, 2014. Moreover, the vacation leaves of police personnel will be cancelled the for the entire Christmas season.
The report quoted SPD director Chief Superintendent Jose Erwin Villacorte, who explained, “For the first time in so many years, we will not allow our policemen to go on a vacation during Christmas holidays because it is their duty to provide security even in these times.”
Photo by Ramon Velasquez via WikiCommons
