AS PART of the security measure for Yuletide season, all Catholic churches in Davao City implemented a one-entrance policy during the nine-day Misa de Gallo which started Monday, December 16.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Rose Aguilar said they have already coordinated with Archbishop Romulo Valles for the implementation of the one-entrance policy to ensure that no prohibited items will be sneaked into churches.
They are anticipating a huge number of churchgoers who will flock to different Catholic churches at the start of the traditional “Simbang Gabi”.
“Giandaman napod ug security measures kining Misa de Gallo. Mapasalamaton ta kay Archbishop Valles kay nisuporta siya didto sa hangyo sa atoang city director, si Colonel Kraft, nga maghimo ug kining one-entrance policy sa mga simbahan sa Katoliko (We have readied our security measures for Misa de Gallo. We are thankful to Archbishop Valle for supporting the request of Colonel Kraft for the implementation of one-entrance policy in all Catholic churches),” Aguilar said.
She said Valles had already given order to the 39 churches for the implementation of this policy to support the initiatives of the police.
“Ang mahitabo ana, ang simbahan, isa lang sa ang agianan para mas ma-scrutinize masusi gyud ang tanang musulod, ma-inspection ang tanang ma-inspection ug dili malutsan og dili angay dalhon sulod sa simbahan (All churches will have one entrance to properly inspect those who will come inside),” she added.
However, she added that after the mass all other entrances will be opened.
There will be augmentation coming from the headquarters to increase the police force. Since the area of responsibility of Talomo Police Station has more churches, they will deploy more personnel there.
Authorities have been implementing no backpack policies in all places of worships in the city following the bombing incident in Jolo, Sulu inside a church.
Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa has ordered all the police units to step up their preventive measures and increase police visibility in churches with the deployment of mobile patrols with blinkers switched on to establish police presence.