No serious, credible threats monitored so far amid Christmas season — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has not received any credible and serious threats amid this year's holiday celebration.

"As of this time, wala pa tayong namomonitor na anumang [we haven't monitored any] serious and credible threat that would hamper [the] Christmas celebration for the whole holiday season," said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo at a press conference.

Fajardo highlighted the recorded decrease in crimes in the country by almost 20%.

"Bumababa ang insidente particularly nitong ber months, almost nasa 20% yung naitala nating pagbaba ng insidente," she said.

[Crime incidents have decreased during the ber months, we have tallied almost 20% decrease of crime incidents.]

Still, the PNP reminded the public and the authorities to not to be complacent.

She added that PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. urged to maintain proactive stance to ensure public safety and security.

Meanwhile, as the Simbang Gabi started last week, the authorities were mandated to intensify security efforts in churches.

"So far, relatively peaceful naman po yung ating Simbang Gabi, wala po tayong naitala o naitatala na major significant incident that would somehow compromise yung ating security and safety po ng ating mga mangingimba. Inaasahan natin na magtutuloy-tuloy po yan," Fajardo said as the PNP will implement maximum deployment.

(So far, dawn Masses have been relatively peaceful. We have not recorded or recorded any major significant incident that would somehow compromise our security and safety of our pilgrims. We expect that to continue.)

"Maximum deployment po tayo ngayon. As sa instructions ng ating Chief PNP i-maximize na po 'yung ating deployment," Fajardo said.

(We are at maximum deployment now. As per the instructions of our Chief PNP, maximize our deployment.)

In 2023, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the Simbang Gabi in Metro Manila was generally peaceful with no significant incidents reported during the nine-day traditional activity.

This was lower than the 154 recorded during the same period in 2021, and 190 in 2020. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News