Police forces in Central Visayas have begun comprehensive preparations to ensure tight security for the upcoming Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses) and a series of major events extending into 2026.
Security Deployment for Dawn Masses
Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, announced that all Catholic churches holding daily dawn masses for the Simbang Gabi tradition, which starts on December 16, 2025, will be manned by police personnel. The initiative includes setting up police assistance desks at major churches to provide a direct point of contact for churchgoers facing any issues.
To further safeguard the community, officers will conduct foot patrols. This measure aims to protect worshippers walking in the early morning darkness from potential criminal elements. General Maranan assured the public that a visible police presence will be maintained on the streets from late night until morning to ensure the safety of Cebuanos attending the masses.
Elevated Alert for a String of Major Events
The regional police command will escalate its alert status beginning with the Simbang Gabi period and maintain it through early 2026. This prolonged state of heightened readiness is due to a consecutive lineup of significant activities scheduled in Central Visayas.
General Maranan explained that security deployments will flow directly from one event to the next: Christmas, New Year, the Sinulog Festival, and the ASEAN Summit. The high-profile ASEAN Summit will be held in Metro Cebu and Bohol province, attracting numerous visiting officials from various Southeast Asian nations.
"Once the Simbang Gabi starts, we will also have deployment on the streets because we know that during Simbang Gabi, people really walk. Then right after the mass, some of them go to places to sip coffee and to eat breakfast, so we will watch over them," Maranan stated.
No Room for Complacency
While PRO-7 has not monitored any specific, serious security threats at this time, authorities are not letting their guard down. All intelligence personnel have been directed to intensify surveillance and monitoring operations against criminals who might seek to take advantage of the bustling holiday season.
The integrated security plan underscores the police force's proactive approach to safeguarding both residents and visitors during this extended period of religious observance and international gatherings in the region.
