This is in response to a photo of a letter allegedly coming from Toril Police Station commander Police Major Michael Uyanguren that circulated online and was also forwarded to SunStar Davao.
According to the alleged letter, Police Major Uyanguren wrote to Fr. Victor Isidoro Gilay, Santo Rosario Parish priest, instructing that only fully vaccinated individuals can attend the Simbang Gabi and Misa De Gallo (dawn mass), both an annual Christmas traditional mass before Christmas Day.
The supposed letter said this is part of the DCPO guidelines in the conduct of the said masses.
However, DCPO Spokesperson Police Major Rose Aguilar said she immediately called the attention of Uyanguren to know if he issued the said memorandum and asked his reference for issuing such an order.
“Iyahang gidili ug gi-deny nga wala siya’y gi-issue nga ing-ana na (He refused and denied that he issued such) memorandum,” Aguilar said on Wednesday, December 15, during the AFP-PNP Press Conference.
Aguilar said she had personally received a copy of the screenshot but denied that the DCPO has issued such a memorandum. She added that they only abide by the guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
She said they are in close coordination with all parishes in the city.
Among the policies the city police will impose within church vicinity is the “one entrance, one exit” policy, 50-percent maximum capacity inside the church and maximum 70-percent outside the church, and the strict observance of the physical distancing.
Aguilar also urged minors and senior citizens, if possible, to attend the masses virtually since they are considered vulnerable to the virus, despite the provision of the Alert Level 2 status relaxing the restrictions of minors and seniors from going out.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio did not mention unvaccinated churchgoers being barred from attending the Christmas masses.
Instead, during a radio interview on Monday, December 13, the mayor emphasized the strict observance of the minimum health protocols.
SunStar Davao is still trying to reach out to Gilay and the Santo Rosario Parish.
