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December 17, 2025 | 12:00am
Catholic devotees attend the first Simbang Gabi at the courtyard of the St. Joseph Parish Church, popularly known as the Bamboo Organ Church, in Las Piñas on December 16, 2025
STAR / Edd Gumban
MANILA, Philippines — There was no untoward incident on the first day of the traditional nine-day dawn masses, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units nationwide have been placed on heightened alert to ensure the safety and security of churchgoers.
“This reflects the readiness of our police on the ground and the discipline and cooperation of our communities,” Nartatez said in a statement.
Over 100,000 police officers are securing the Christmas and New Year celebrations, higher than the 60,000 PNP personnel deployed in 2024.
Nartatez said the PNP would maintain heightened alert throughout the nine-day Simbang Gabi.
“We will continue to sustain our deployments in churches, major roads and convergence areas to make sure that the peoeple can attend religious activities safely and with peace of mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said everyone is invited to be part of the Church.
“The Church is not meant only for those who feel worthy. It is meant for all who seek the Lord,” he said. “God makes it clear that His house is open to all. No one is excluded.”
