PNP: Simbang Gabi 2024 generally peaceful

Photo courtesy: Ryan Baldemor | republicasia

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said that the traditional nine-day Simbang Gabi or Rooster Mass ended “generally peaceful.”

The Filipino Catholic usually holds early morning masses from December 16 to 24, in what is called Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo.

“As of kaninang madaling araw, umabot sa close to 40,000 ang dineploy natin. At doon sa pagtatapos ng Simbang Gabi kanina, overall naman ay naging generally peaceful,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in an interview aired over GMA television.

The assessment came amid a riot that involved around 40 minors after a Simbang Gabi Mass at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Caloocan City.

It occurred at Jose P. Bautista Avenue, near the boundary of Barangays 79 and 80.

Several minors hurled Molotov cocktails at each other.

Byt Fajardo said it is an isolated incident and that thePNP now shifts to securing transportation hubs and markets.

“Yung ating focus naman ngayon na babantayan ay doon sa ating mga major transportation hubs, mga malls, at mga iba pang establisyimento, mga night markets dahil inaasahan nga po natin na yung mga hahabol pa para po sa bisperas po ng Pasko ay mamimili po at mag-iikot po ngayon,” she said.