For the police, churches are all the same, big or small."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta police command has stationed personnel to assure peaceful Christmas Eve service at churches in the capital city on Tuesday evening.
"All personnel involved in the security program have been made ready to take on their posts. At 3 p.m. a roll call will be held before the personnel are assigned to their posts," stated command spokesman senior commissioner Rikwanto.
Besides guarding churches, the police will also conduct patrol around the city as an anticipatory measure against possible disruption.
"It is not impossible for any security threat to manifest at churches. For the police, churches are all the same, big or small. Any threat or incident on even one of them could cause panic and commotion," he emphasized.
He explained that ahead of the Christmas Eve service, Jakarta Metropolitan Police chief Inspector General Putut Eko Bayuseno along with Jakarta governor Joko Widodo will inspect several churches to check the readiness of security personnel.
Regarding the involvement of mass organizations in the churches, Rikwanto explained that they are not officially under police control.
"The police will, however coordinate well to prevent overlapping," he added.
Rikwanto stated that more than 12,000 personnel from the Jakarta police command and the National Police Headquarters will be involved in the security program.
(Reporting by Dewanto Samodro/T.D018/Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/F001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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