Thousands of Catholic faithfuls attended the first day of Simbang Gabi in Davao City, according to an official of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
DCPO spokesperson Police Major Catherine dela Rey told Edge Davao that an estimated number of more than 28,000 attended Simbang Gabi in 41 churches around Davao City.
“Generally peaceful ang pag start sa Simbang Gabi and wala ta’y na record na untoward incidents,” she said.
Dela Rey earlier announced that it is the goal of DCPO to have a zero-incident “Simbang Gabi” and will be watching over the young people who cluster together and who are prone to starting riots during the Simbang Gabi.
DCPO has partnered with barangay force multipliers in order to monitor and discourage young troublemakers from going to church for reasons other than attending the dawn mass.
The Davao City Security and Safety Cluster on November 30, 2022, started deploying over 6,000 security personnel and force multipliers to provide security for the whole duration of the Holiday Season, including the nine dawn masses before Christmas Day.
Since this year’s Simbang Gabi will have no restrictions to movement and capacity, unlike the previous years of the pandemic, dela Rey said maximum security will be implemented in all 41 churches in the city.
