PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered yesterday the strict enforcement of liquor and gun bans as part of the security measures for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.
This as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared Friday, Jan.9, a special non-working day in Manila to accommodate millions of devotees expected to attend the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene, and ensure an orderly procession (Tralacion).
Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) reminded devotees planning to join the annual procession of the Black Nazarene to observe discipline and reverence, underscoring the sacred character of one of the country’s largest religious gatherings.
In another move, Nartatez approved a recommendation of Metro Manila police chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin to suspend the permit to carry firearms outside residence on Jan. 8-10.
Nartatez said enough policemen will be conducting operations not only for the enforcement of the gun and liquor bans, but also the prohibition on the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic materials during the religious rites.
“We have been coordinating with the city government of Manila to achieve a specific goal, which is to ensure that this religious activity will be peaceful and orderly similar to what the PNP did over the years,” he said.
“We’ve been doing this for years, but we don’t want to lower our guard. Every year has a new security challenge and every year, we have been improving our security operations,” he added.
Nartatez also appealed to the public to cooperate with authorities and comply with the regulations especially during the Traslacion.
“I am urging our kababayans to work with us. We will not succeed if we act alone to keep the Feast of the Lord Nazarene in order,” he said.
During his remarks at the Monday flag-raising ceremony, Nartatez gave assurance that the PNP’s efforts will remain continuous and proactive in securing the event.
“This event gathers millions of devotees. It presents a complex security environment that requires careful planning and full coordination. Let me be clear. There will be no letup in our security preparations,” he said.
“We will remain alert and ready to protect lives. We will respect faith and ensure the orderly conduct of this significant occasion,” Nartatez added.
As preparations continued for Nazareno 2026, Church leaders urged the faithful to rely only on official announcements from the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church) and verified Church social media platforms, warning that misinformation and exploitation often circulate through unofficial sources during the buildup to the feast.
The CBCP said discipline and order are essential expressions of genuine devotion, especially as millions are expected to take part in the Traslación on Jan. 9, when the centuries-old image of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno is ceremonially transferred from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to its shrine at Quiapo Church.
The Minor Basilica has also unveiled the official theme and emblem for Nazareno 2026, bearing the scriptural message: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). Church officials said the theme highlighted humility as the heart of devotion, calling on the faithful to exalt Christ not through spectacle, but through lives of faith and service.
Under the banner “Debosyon • Traslacion • Misyon,” the 2026 emblem reflects three core values—praise, humility, and faith—which Church leaders said should guide devotees beyond the physical rigor of the procession and toward a deeper journey of discipleship.
“With his visit just nearing, let’s also take the Quiapo fiesta as an opportunity to show to the Holy Father that Filipinos have discipline in their devotion, and that it truly brings them closer to God and their neighbors,” the CBCP said in a statement.
The bishops also called on the faithful to embody the true meaning of Nazareno devotion through prayer, sacrifice, penance, and self-giving, stressing that these virtues—not sheer numbers or endurance—define authentic faith.
The Traslación, held every Jan. 9, draws millions of barefoot devotees from across the country, making it one of the world’s largest annual religious processions and a major test of public order, faith, and communal responsibility.
