Cops, tanods alert for dawn masses

AUTHORITIES assured that there will be enough security personnel to man traffic and ensure peace in churches during the start of dawn masses today.

The Misa de Gallo will be held for nine days till Christmas eve.

Traffic schemes will be in place to avoid road congestion during the dawn masses, said Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgar Labella.

Labella said each barangay will have 10 policemen.

They will conduct patrols in their designated barangay to prevent house burglaries.

“During masses, no one will be left at home while some are fast asleep. So policemen will be monitoring closely and will all be on alert,” said Labella.

He said that 1,200 barangay tanods from 80 barangays in Cebu City will be on hand to help the police.

Labella said the tanods are trained to serve an arrest warrant or implement a citizens arrest as well as how to preserve evidence in a crime scene.

“Overall, we are pretty much prepared for this since we do this every year and we are really confident with our policemen and tanods,” said Labella.

Chief Insp. David Senor, chief of the Police Community Relations (PCR) of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPAT) will beef up the police in securing churches as well as malls and other crowded places.

Señor said they also sought assistance from members of Parish Security Group (PSG) to man traffic.

Night watch patrol teams will also monitor the church area.

Police will also coordinate with the Cebu City Traffic Office (CCTO) in monitoring parking areas.

Señor said policemen will be deployed in churches an hour before the start of the masses.

The police official also urged the public to be vigilant.

Churchgoers must avoid bringing expensive things. As much as possible, someone must also stay behind to watch over their homes.

Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, chief of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas, said police will have no Christmas and New Year break.