Nine-day Simbang Gabi relatively peaceful – PNP

By Jennifer P. Rendon

No major incident marred the 9-day observance of the Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses).

Records from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) showed that 472 incidents were recorded from Dec 16 to 24, 2021, which is 96 cases lower, or 16.9 percent, against last year’s 568 incidents.

Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, said police units all over Western Visayas did not record any case of stray bullet and illegal discharge of firearm.

Only one case of firecracker-related injury was reported.

“This can be attributed to the timely general assessment and strategic deployment of PNP personnel by our unit commanders,” he said.

Simbang Gabi is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas. It is similar to the nine dawn Masses leading to Christmas Eve practiced in Puerto Rico called Misa de Aguinaldo.

Simbang Gabi in the Philippines is held daily from December 16 to 24, and occur at different times ranging from as early as 03:00 a.m. to 05:00 a.m.

On the last day of the Simbang Gabi, which is Christmas Eve, the service is instead called Misa de Gallo (Spanish for “Rooster’s Mass”).

Solis added that more police officers were deployed in areas frequented by the public such as churches, malls, markets, terminals, and the like.

He also cited the active support of the force multipliers and barangay officials in PRO-6’s peace and order efforts.

“Also, the awareness efforts through different media like radio, television, social media, and print have been very helpful in reminding the general public to be cautious, vigilant and proactive in these holiday season,” he said.

Solis said they’re looking forward for a peaceful celebration of the New Year.