Traslacion returns; no threats monitored

MANILA, Philippines — The military has not monitored any security threat to disrupt the traslacion, which resumes today after three years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed troops to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) secure the traslacion or traditional procession of the 400-year-old statue of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region fielded personnel from its Naval Task Group.

Trinidad said personnel of the AFP’s quick response, explosives and ordnance, K9 units, communications and covert security teams were pre-positioned at the Nazarene Catholic School in Quiapo.

The PNP should ensure the safety of devotees participating in the procession of the Black Nazarene, according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

Gatchalian urged the traslacion participants to follow security protocols and report to authorities any suspicious activities.

Abalos: No children, sick

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged devotees not to bring their children with them during the traslacion as he led the security inspection around Quiapo Church yesterday.

“It is important to heed our call for the sick and children not to join the procession,” Abalos said.

“This is the first traslacion after COVID so we will be expecting more participants this year,” he added.

Abalos said President Marcos has directed government agencies to ensure the success of the traslacion.

Abalos was joined by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna during the inspection.

The Department of Health advised those with illness, senior citizens, pregnant women and children not to join the procession.

The Manila city government will distribute 50,000 face masks to devotees who will attend masses at the Quiapo Church.

Security measures are in place for the procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, according to Quiapo Church Rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr.

Meanwhile, the Light Rail Transit Line 2 will transport barefoot Nazarene devotees.

More than 15,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the traslacion, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“With an estimated crowd of 2.3 (million), a total of 15,276 police personnel will be deployed on the peak of the activity on Jan. 9 until the next day,” NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

More than 1,500 police personnel from Calabarzon were deployed as augmentation forces to secure the religious event.

The Office for Transportation Security confiscated prohibited items such as knives and ammunition from devotees who went to the Quiapo Church over the weekend.

Don’t litter, devotees told

An environmental group urged Catholic devotees to maintain cleanliness during the procession of the Black Nazarene.

EcoWaste Coalition zero waste campaigner Ochie Tolentino reminded the faithful to keep the religious event litter-free. – Bella Cariaso, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Rudy Santos, Ghio Ong, Evelyn Macairan, Rhodina Villanueva, Ed Amoroso