PNP: No-fly zone, signal jammers during traslacion

MANILA, Philippines — To ensure public safety, police will enforce a no-fly zone policy and use cell phone signal jammers during the traslacion or procession for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila next week.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the decision was reached during a meeting of top government officials and representatives from Quiapo Church at Malacañang yesterday.

Acorda said the meeting was called by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin upon the directive of President Marcos.

Asked if a no-fly zone policy would be implemented and cell phone signal jammers would be used, Acorda told reporters in an interview: “Kasama sa usapan kanina (It was discussed) and part of the planning talaga.”

He said the two security measures would be imposed on the day of the traslacion on Jan 9.

Acorda maintained there is no security threat to the traslacion, but he stressed it is better to be proactive than to be caught off-guard.

“Even in the absence of such a threat, we always prepare for the worst,” he said.

Acorda has designated National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. as the overall security supervisor for the procession.

At least 15,200 police officers will secure the traslacion. Acorda said the number could still increase as they are anticipating the eagerness of Black Nazarene devotees who waited for three years for the resumption of the religious feast due to the COVID pandemic.

Acorda said they have reserve forces from regions adjacent to Metro Manila that are ready for deployment.

Police have also set up medical stations in strategic areas so that people who might be injured during the procession can get immediate treatment.

Acorda urged participants to bring only items allowed during the event such as transparent bags, to avoid being subjected to stricter inspections.

PCG to beef up security

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard would be sending K9 teams and conducting water patrols to augment security measures for the traslacion, PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said yesterday.

Trained dogs would “conduct paneling” at the Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge and in Quiapo Church, he said.

PCG personnel on watercraft would patrol along the Pasig River and Manila Bay, particularly behind the grandstand, Gavan said.

Should there be a need for mass evacuation, the PCG would use the Pasig River and Manila Bay as possible exit points, he added.

Devotees brought 450 replicas and banners of the Black Nazarene to be blessed and paraded outside the Quiapo Church yesterday.

Church officials scheduled a second day of blessing and procession of replicas and banners today.

Fr. Jesus Madrid Jr., Quiapo Church’s parochial vicar, reminded devotees to refrain from climbing the Black Nazarene’s carriage to ensure that “everyone would see Him.”

He also discouraged people from pushing other devotees to avoid injury.

Madrid said while the Black Nazarene would be in a glass case, devotees would still be able to throw their handkerchiefs to members of the Hijos del Nazareno, who would wipe these on the image and throw these back to the crowd. –  Evelyn Macairan