Policemen in the capital city of the Philippines are now donning a new headgear to complement their uniform just in time for the Christmas season - Santa Claus hats.

"We are wearing this to show the people that during this Christmas season our hearts and minds are on serving the Filipino people," said Manila police spokesman Giovanni Valera.

National Capital Region police chief Geary Barias said that so far, 1,000 officers and 700 police recruits have volunteered to trade their traditional blue caps for the Santa Claus hats in patrolling the crime-ridden streets.

"This serves as a reminder that Christmas is coming and we should have peace," said Dennis Perez, who was all praises for the cops' new look.

"The Santa hat is OK, but of course they should focus on their duties," said Jenny de Jesus, a regular church-goer in Quiapo district's Roman Catholic church.