THE PNP said it would implement “extensive” security measures to ensure the safety of millions of people who will attend the Black Nazarene procession or Traslacion this Thursday.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday said the police force would utilize all its resources to safeguard the devotees and attendees of Traslacion 2025.
“Traslacion is a profound expression of faith and devotion. The PNP is fully committed to safeguarding every devotee, dedicating all necessary resources to ensure peace and order during this sacred occasion,” said Marbil.
President Marcos Jr. has declared January 9 as a special non-working holiday in Manila in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Millions of devotees are expected to flock to the Quiapo Church to venerate the wooden image of the Black Nazarene, which is believed to have miraculous powers.
The PNP said the comprehensive security plan for the Traslacion will be implemented in coordination with local government units, religious organizations, and concerned government agencies.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said more than 12,000 policemen will be deployed to secure the event.
“Specialized units trained in crowd control will be on hand to maintain order and ensure the smooth flow of participants, while the PNP Intelligence Group and Anti-Cybercrime Group will closely monitor any potential physical and digital threats,” a PNP statement said.
It said medical teams and quick response units will also be strategically deployed “to provide immediate assistance when needed.”
The PNP said personnel from the Highway Patrol Group and local traffic enforcers will also be deployed “to manage traffic flow and implement rerouting schemes to minimize disruptions for both devotees and the general public.”
Marbil urged devotees and the public to cooperate with the secure measures being adopted by the PNP.
“We call on devotees and the public to cooperate with security protocols, report any suspicious activities, and prioritize safety. Your vigilance and cooperation are vital to the success of this event,” said Marbil
“Security is a shared responsibility. Through unity and collaboration, we aim to make Traslacion 2025 a secure and spiritually enriching experience for everyone,” added Marbil.
Fajardo, in a radio interview, said about 6.5 million devotees may attend the Traslacion based on the PNP’s estimate. The figure is similar to the number of devotees who attended the event last year.
“We are estimating that this year, it will be similar. Our crowd estimate is 6.5 million. We deployed 12,000 (policemen) last year so this time, we may deploy more than 12,000 policemen,” said Fajardo.
Among the security measures the PNP will implement for the Traslacion are the gun and liquor bans, said Fajardo.
She said the PNP will also establish “control points.”
Fajardo said jamming phone signals are “being considered by the security sector.” However, she said the decision would be made on Thursday.
“If that will happen, we hope the public and the devotees will understand,” said Fajardo, adding this will be implemented “as a last resort to make sure everyone will be safe.”
Fajardo said the PNP has not monitored any serious threat to disrupt the activity.
“But we are not going to be complacent. We have contingency plans to address any scenario,” said Fajardo, adding the PNP is hoping the Traslacion will be “peaceful and orderly.”
MMDA DEPLOYMENT
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority yesterday said it will deploy over 800 personnel, a mobile command center and closed-circuit television cameras to ensure the safety and security of devotees, including the “Translacion’ route.
MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana said 850 personnel will be fielded to assist local authorities with traffic management, ensure public safety, maintain peace and order, and respond to any emergency.
Lipana said a mobile command center, 55 body cameras and three high-resolution cameras will be fielded in strategic locations along the “Translacion” route and at the Quirino Grandstand.
“Magde-deploy din tayo ng clearing group na bubuntunan ang prosesyon para linisin ang basura (We will also deploy a clearing group to immediately pick up and remove the garbage in the aftermath of the procession),” Lipana said.
In 2024, authorities said the Traslacion drew more than 2.8 million devotees along the path of the procession and at the Quiapo Church.
Last Saturday, the MMDA hosted an inter-agency coordination meeting to finalize the plans for the Feast and ensure it would proceed without any hitch.
The MMDA has also intensified its operations to clear and remove obstacles along the procession route.
At least 104 public and private vehicles were issued citation tickets for illegal parking while 18 unattended vehicles were towed to the MMDA impounding area in Tumana, Marikina last Saturday.
Lipana said the agency is coordinating with the city government of Manila and the police to clear the route of obstacles.
The MMDA’s traffic engineering center has also installed fences and plastic barriers at the procession route and the Quirino Grandstand.
IMPROVING ANDAS
In its continuing bid to improve the andas or carriage carrying the iconic image of Jesus Nazareno, the Quiapo Church has adopted more innovations ahead of the traditional fiesta procession.
In a press conference last Friday, Nazareno 2025 adviser Alex Irasga said they continued the improvements in the andas, starting after last year’s “traslacion.”
“We made major innovations in the design and structure of the andas… And this is a work in progress that we are doing,” said Irasga.
For this year, he said they opted for a glass roof for the glass enclosure that was introduced last year.
“This is so that there will be natural lighting that can enter the enclosure. We also want to enable those in buildings to see the image even from the top view,” said Irasga.
He said they also want to avoid having moisture developing inside the glass enclosure, just like what happened in 2024.
“We placed exhaust fans in the ceiling and other ventilations on the sides so that the heat can be released and avoid having moisture,” said Irasga.
He said they also placed additional wheels for the andas, aside from the ones used by forklifts to avoid any problems.
“Our wheels will be a combination of forklift wheels and metal wheels in order to provide support to the former,” he explained.
Lastly, he said they also fortified the stainless steel they are using for the andas.
“Even if there are 8 to 16 people on top, it will be easy to push and navigate,” assured Irasga. – With Ashzel Hachero and Gerard Naval
