NCRPO brings back ‘yantok’ to enforce ‘Simbang Gabi’ protocols
The chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Wednesday said police officers will once again deploy rattan sticks (yantok) to ensure that safe physical separation is enforced in churches during the annual “Simbang Gabi” which starts on December 16.
“We will be employing the sticks for social distance and if needed for hostile individuals. It is a reminder of social separation and can also be used as a disciplinary measure for aggressive behavior it is the last option,” Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao stated in Filipino in a radio interview.
This, as the Catholic faithful are expected to swarm to churches for the “Simbang Gabi”, the pre-dawn Masses held for nine days leading to Christmas Day.
The one-meter rattan sticks were originally deployed last year, to impose physical distance and discourage mass gatherings in public places when Metro Manila was still under general community quarantine.
Danao said all NCRPO workers will be able to report to duty in regions near their dwellings, as part of the “work near home” strategy to provide them the opportunity to spend more time with their families during the holiday season.
“They have to report still to the precincts. We have a contingency plan or security plan so there will be policemen everywhere, and not just on churches and malls, but tourist spots as well, to ensure the safety and security of our kababayans now that Simbang Gabi is set to start next week,” Danao said.
The five police districts covered by the NCRPO are Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD) (EPD).
Meanwhile, Danao said community fireworks displays would be allowed for the New Year celebration in approved areas.
“We allowed this last year and there is a designated area based on the AOR (area of responsibility) and the consent of the LGU (local government unit),” he said.
The Philippine National Police has already announced its operating instructions against firecrackers to promote a safe and peaceful celebration of the Yuletide season.
These recommendations are in compliance with Executive Order 28 issued by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, which allows for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices.
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