First day of nine-day misa de gallo is peaceful
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Sr. Supt. Melvin Moncal said the first day of the nine-day traditional dawn mass is peaceful. The stillness is not a ground to be complacent on possible commission of crimes.
Moncal said the presence of policemen, barangay tanods and police auxiliaries within the church promises deter the commission of crimes. The crime driven by opportunity must be discouraged. Criminals should not be given opportunities to commit any crime.
People from all walks of life attend the traditional dawn mass. The volume of people is considerable inside the church as well as in the different plazas. Most of the members of the family leave their houses.
He also urged residents to secure their properties and belongings before leaving their residences to attend the early dawn mass while the first of the misa de gallo is peaceful. Vigilance is important in preventing the occurrence of crimes.
It is a must for each household to protect their properties from intruders leaving their homes to hear mass. If it is possible, they must also inform their neighbor to watch their house, said Moncal.
He added neighbor’s intervention could be of great help. They can immediately report to the police any suspicious looking personalities or presence of cars long been parked in their premises.
