Personnel of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) are set to be deployed to secure churchgoers during the Misa de Gallo or the nine-day Dawn Masses, which start on Sunday, and the rest of the Christmas holiday season.

According to BPPO director Senior Supt. Angeles Geñorga, Jr., the local police force has been directed to increase visibility in Churches and secure other key areas including terminals, public markets and other crowded areas during the holidays.

“Andam na ta, naka-prepare na mga stations natin diyan, may mga naka-duty sa mga Church, sa mga terminal, yung mga places of convergence, may mga deployment plan na tayo,” said Geñorga.

Law enforcement authorities in the province however have not detected any threat that could mar the celebrations during Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The police force in the entire Central Visayas remained on “normal alert” status

“Wala tayong security threat, pero maglagay tayo niyan, ng mga assistance desks sa mga Church lalo na yung mga early mass,” said Geñorga.

The province’s highest ranking police official meanwhile urged the public not to leave homes unattended to avoid burglaries.

He noted that while the police will remain on alert during the holidays, individuals should look out for their personal safety as well by being vigilant.

“Yung personal safety, yung observance ng personal safety—pag-alis ng bahay siguraduhing naka-lock ang bahay natin, may maayos na lock ang pintuan at pagkanakalabas naman, yung personal safety din, yung mga nagmomotor, dapat nakahelmet, magdala ng paying, panlaban din yan sa sakit at yung may dalang bata lalo na sa loob ng church, wag ihihiwalay,” Geñorga added. (R. Tutas)