MORE than 2,000 personnel from the Armed Forces (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and other government agencies have been tapped to help the PNP secure the Black Nazarene procession or Traslacion this Thursday.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said 2,306 personnel would augment 12,168 policemen tapped to ensure peace and order during the procession.
“Around 2,306 personnel will be coming from other agencies, including the AFP, PCG, BFP and, of course, relevant agencies and offices like the DOH (Department of Health) and Red Cross,” said Fajardo.
“We will be providing medical personnel to make sure that we have personnel readily available in case there is a need to (provide) medical treatment and some other medical attention,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said the number of policemen who will be tasked to secure the Traslacion may rise.
Fajardo said the PNP expects 6.5 million devotees to join the Traslacion.
She said there is a possibility the estimate may rise, so the number of policemen to be deployed may also increase.
“That (12,168 policemen) may increase, depending on the number of people who will participate in the Traslacion,” said Fajardo.
“We have a readily deployable reserve force. If there is a need to increase our deployment, we have personnel available for deployment,” said Fajardo.
Among the measures to be implemented by the PNP for the Traslacion are gun (from January 8 to 11) and liquor bans (from Jan. 8 to 10).
Fajardo said jamming phone signals is always being considered during major events, especially if there is a potential threat.
“It will really depend on the prevailing security assessment of this major event,” said Fajardo.
The PNP earlier said it had not monitored any serious threat to the Translacion but added it was not going to be complacent, adding contingency measures are in place.
The PCG, in a statement, said it will deploy some 1,100 personnel to help in ensuring a safe, secure, and peaceful Traslacion.
“We are expecting millions of devotees who will attend the series of activities during Black Nazarene Traslacion 2025,” said PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan.
“The PCG assists in ensuring public safety and security against possible risks, including terrorism, stampedes, fire within nearby areas, and natural disasters, such as an earthquake during the yearly Catholic commemoration,” said Gavan.
Gavan said PCG will deploy Coast Guard K9 teams, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Units, Special Operations Groups, Civil Disturbance Management teams, and Deployable Response Groups which will be strategically assigned at the Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge, and the vicinity of the Quiapo Church.
“We are one with our Catholic brothers and sisters in celebrating the Annual Feast of the Black Nazarene. The millions of devotees can rest assured that they will have a successful and memorable commemoration through the support of the national government and law enforcement agencies that come together for a common cause – which is to ensure zero-casualty during Traslacion 2025,” said Gavan.
CALL FOR OBEDIENCE
Days before hundreds of thousands of devotees flock to Manila, officials of the Minor Basilica & National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno called for obedience to the rules and guidelines set for the annual procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
In a press briefing, Quiapo Church Rector Fr. Rufino Sescon Jr. urged devotees to adhere to the guidelines set by the organizers of the “Nazareno 2025” feast.
“We call on devotees to understand that expressing faith also involves obedience,” said Sescon, adding the procession would be more orderly and completed faster.
He added having an organized “Traslacion” will also bring back the focus of the feast to the Jesus Nazareno, instead of the devotees.
“We are simply returning to the old devotion, where Jesus Nazareno is truly the main focus,” added Sescon.
Organizers said devotees are urged to maintain the spirituality of the religious activity by attending the Holy Mass and avoiding being the cause of discord.
They also urged the public to take part in the praying and singing during the procession, including those taking place in the 12 Prayer Stations scattered across the procession route.
Devotees were also discouraged from climbing the andas or carriage, blocking the view of the image of the Jesus Nazareno, blocking the procession route and pulling on the ropes attached to the andas.
Organizers also said devotees can bring small, single-hand religious relics, including replicas of the Jesus Nazareno.
Also allowed are transparent raincoats/ponchos, shoes and slippers, small cameras, wheelchairs, single-seat portable chairs, small flashlights, small candles, clear plastic garbage bags, and waist bags.
Organizers prohibited the carrying of medium to life-sized religious images, banners, andas, deadly weapons, pyrotechnics, drone cameras, selfie sticks, professional cameras, large bags, blankets, portable appliances, LPG and stoves, and tents.
Also banned are umbrellas, alcoholic beverages, smoking and vaping, laser pointers, large metal objects, scooters and skates, vehicles and bicycles, heavy meals, plastic and glass bottles, food sticks, pets, and jackets.
‘PAHALIK’
By midnight of January 7, the traditional “pahalik” or veneration of Jesus Nazareno will begin at the Quirino Grandstand.
It will run until January 9 even after the start of the annual procession from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church.
“The line for the ‘pahalik’ will run through the usual area of Roxas Boulevard via Kalaw Extension and will be manned by the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority),” said Nazareno 2025 adviser Alex Irasga.
During the “pahalik, devotees are encouraged to sanitize and wipe the image but are discouraged from kissing Jesus Nazareno.
‘CODE WHITE’
With just two days left before the Traslacion, the Department of Health (DOH) has raised the Code White Alert in hospitals and health care facilities.
In a radio interview, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said they are raising the Code White Alert from January 6 to 10 in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“Our hospitals are ready for the Traslacion as there is a new Code White raised from January 6 to 10,” said Domingo, adding the Code White Alert would likely be raised in other regions.
“The Basilica is in Quiapo and the Traslacion is from Luneta but there are also many devotees nationwide. So other hospitals in the regions will also be on Code White,” said Domingo.
Under Code White, all medical personnel and hospital equipment and supplies will be on standby for possible casualties during the annual feast.
Domingo said this is similar to the alert level raised during the recent Christmas season.
“The hospitals and doctors and nurses will just shift their modes from preparing to amputate to common illnesses during the Traslacion, such as heat stroke, high blood, and fainting,” said Domingo.
He also urged devotees to forego plans to physically join the festivities if they are not feeling well.
“If they have fever, cough, and colds, do not join the procession physically anymore. Jesus Nazareno won’t take it against you if you miss it because you’re sick,” said Domingo.
For those joining the Traslacion, he advised them to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water.
“Let us eat before joining the procession so that we won’t experience hypoglycemia or feel weak,” said Domingo. – With Gerard Naval
