THE traditional and face-to-face Misa de Gallo also known as 'Simbang Gabi' (Dawn Masses) in the Philippines that started on Friday — the first since 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic struck the country and many other parts of the world — was generally orderly and peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo, in a radio interview, said their monitoring showed no untoward incident had been reported.

The PNP noted that 'a lot of people' heard the Masses that were held for the first time in two years, when people, except a limited number, were locked down in their homes.

Fajardo said the PNP deployed almost 30,000 policemen to more than 3,700 places of worship, apart from those assigned to conduct mobile and foot patrols and those sent to bus terminals and commercial establishments.

PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said the entire PNP has been on full alert since December 15.

Under this alert status, all police personnel will be ready for instant deployment, with their work leaves and days-off canceled.

Also, more checkpoints will be in place.

Azurin also directed unit commanders to watch out for large crowds in shopping malls, Christmas parties, night markets and food courts during the holiday season.