MANILA, Philippines — The procession of the Black Nazarene was canceled on Friday because of an “unruly” crowd of devotees wanting to see the wooden image two years into the pandemic.
At least 1,255 uniformed personnel were deployed to secure the Quiapo Church and the procession route, according to the Manila Police District (MPD).
But the procession that started at midnight was called off after a few minutes because the crowd swelled to 70,000, the MPD said.
“The crowd became unruly, forcing the ground commander and the church leaders to implement the contingency plan, which is to immediately return the image to the church,” police said.
Around 2,700 people attended the Santo Entierro procession around Quiapo Church later that night, police added.
The traditional Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene has been canceled for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.