Police to Simbang Gabi churchgoers: Secure homes, don't bring jewelry

As they prepare to attend the first of nine Simbang Gabi (Dawn Masses) on Thursday, Filipino Catholics were reminded to secure their homes and not to bring valuables and jewelry. In Bacolod City, police chief Senior Superintendent Celestino Guara made the appeal as he said police can only do their part to deter criminals. Guara said he had ordered beefed-up security at the San Sebastian Cathedral at the Bacolod downtown area to prevent untoward incidents. Last year a churchgoer was stabbed inside the church compound, the news site Visayan Daily Star reported on Wednesday. Guarda earlier deployed more personnel near churches and more police visibility patrols. Meanwhile, a simultaneous muzzle-taping of the guns of the policemen in the city's 10 police stations will be held next week. Guara reiterated that policemen should not fire guns during the Christmas season. – VVP, GMANews.TV