More than 2,700 police personnel will be deployed in different areas in the Davao Region for traditional 9-day “Simbang Gabi,” which officially starts at the break of dawn on Saturday.
The deployment will also cover other activities of the holidays from December 16, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
The bulk of the personnel will be deployed in places of worship with 694, major thoroughfares with 800, transportation hubs/terminals with 318, commercial areas with 424, and other places of convergence with 437.
“Ubay-ubay ang ma deploy dili lang ang PNP personnel dinha sa mga simbahan. Wala pa na count dinha ang mga barangay tanod na gi commit sa barangay captains kung asa na belong ang simbahan,” said Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) during the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC Victoria Plaza mall on Friday.
A total of 783 members of auxiliary units and 1,525 volunteers from various advocacy groups will be deployed also in the same period and areas.
Dela Rey has appealed to the public to cooperate when security personnel conduct inspection and frisking.
“Be patient and cooperate kung naay pagahimoon nga checking sa mga bags or kapkapan mo kay para ra ni sa inyuhang safety and security,” she said.
She also reminded the public to be vigilant in their surroundings.
“Nag remind ang regional director na be vigilant sa inyong mga palibot kung naa moy napansin,” Dela Rey said.
Dela Rey advised the public to immediately approach the police assistant desk set up in churches for any security concerns.
