LOCAL police in Central Visayas urged local government units (LGUs) to wait for the Inter-Agency Task For the Management of Emerging Infectious Illnesses (IATF) if they will allow the holding of Misa de Gallo or the nine-day pre-Christmas dawn masses in Catholic churches.

With the Covid-19 pandemic still present, local police fear that holding Misa de Gallo could increase infections.

Police Brig. General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) director, said that even though the Misa de Gallo is a traditional practice, he is concerned that the activity could increase Covid-19 infections especially if minimum health measures are not observed.

“We will respect the traditional but we should also again measure the risk and discipline and the responsibility of every Cebuano that will be having the Simbang Gabi,” Ferro told reporters.

For his part, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Col. Josefino Ligan said holding the Misa de Gallo could be prone to violation with the city’s curfew protocols.

But should the IATF will allow the holding of Misa de Gallo, Ferro said he plans to meet with local officials in order to plan the security detail in churches in Cebu to ensure that attendees don’t get Covid-19.

Ferro said police stations across Cebu will be deploying their personnel in churches to ensure that attendees are reminded to follow the minimum health procotols.

They are also seeking the assistance of barangay officials to help local police as additional security in churches. (AYB / JKV)