Manila cops tighten security for Simbang Gabi

With the Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses or Misa de Aguinaldo) about to begin on December 16, Manila police have readied measures to secure churchgoers. The police said the measures include keeping an eye on pro-reproductive health (RH) advocates after a known RH supporter, Carlos Celdran, held a protest inside the Manila Cathedral in September. Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rongavilla said they will watch out for possible confrontations between pro-RH and anti-RH groups during the Dawn Masses. Radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo reported on Tuesday that the MPD will set up random checkpoints and start their "Christmas duty" on the night of December 15. Rongavilla said they will tighten security and deploy K-9 teams near major Catholic churches, including the historic Manila Cathedral, and churches in Quiapo, Malate and Sta. Ana. He also said he instructed police teams to watch out against fraternities who might make trouble during the Dawn Masses. Intramuros drama According to the website of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Celdran held a protest on September 30 inside the Manila Cathedral while an interfaith prayer service was going on. On that day, Celdran, dressed as the Filipino national hero Jose Rizal, shouted inside the cathedral that the Catholic Church should stop meddling in government affairs, especially in its birth control programs. Celdran is a known advocate of the controversial RH bill and is usually seen distributing condoms to residents of Intramuros in Manila. The Manila Cathedral is also in Intramuros. Celdran held a sign that read "Damaso," referring to Padre Damaso, the antagonist priest in Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere. After yelling "stop getting involved in politics," he was taken away by Manila police for violating Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits "offending religious feelings." Article 133 says "the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prision correccional in its minimum period shall be imposed upon anyone who, in a place devoted to religious worship or during the celebration of any religious ceremony, shall perform acts notoriously offensive to the feelings of the faithful." – VVP, GMANews.TV