The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said they have successfully transitioned from securing the just-concluded Christmas and New Year holidays to focusing on this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan, 9 to ensure it remains safe, peaceful and orderly.
Meanwhile, Manila Police District spokesman Maj. Philip Ines said apart from policemen, personnel from various government agencies will also be deployed to ensure security of the event, especially the throng of devotees
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said they have increased deployment and intelligence-monitoring for the upcoming religious festivity.
He confirmed that the Manila Police District is now finalizing the security protocols for “Traslacion,” adding that policemen have been deployed as early as Jan. 2 for the barangay visitation in Quiapo District and other scheduled activities that include blessing of replicas of Jesus Nazareno, the “Pabihis” and Holy Masses.
Nartatez also said the PNP has not monitored any specific or credible threat linked to the religious celebration, but the police will maintain a very strict watch to ensure the safety of millions of devotees expected to surge to Quiapo for the festivity.
“Every year has a different security challenge, but the objective remains the same: to ensure the safety of the millions of devotees and to maintain peace and order at the span of the annual religious activity. Your PNP is ready but we still ask for vigilance and cooperation from the public to achieve our goal,” Nartatez said in a statement.
An estimated 15,000 to 18,000 police personnel are set for deployment across tManila and nearby areas.
Nartatez said Metro Manila policemen will be reinforced by personnel from the Police Regional Office 3, or Central Luzon, and the Police Regional office 4A (CALABARZON).
He said policemen will be tasked to secure the traditional procession route and other key points of convergence to see to it that sufficient numbers of PNP personnel are available for both crowd control and emergency response.
Nartatez said coordination was made as early as two months ago with all the stakeholders, particularly the Manila city government and the Quiapo Church officials while government agencies like the Metro Manila Development Authority have committed assistance.
“I have directed the strategic deployment of our personnel and other assets to secure and assist our people who will take part in this yearly devotion,” he added.
Specialized assets and medical teams are on standby as the PNP urged the public to cooperate with law enforcers on the ground to prevent untoward incidents during the crowded procession.
Devotees are also enjoined to follow safety guidelines issued by the authorities.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said they are now preparing their operatives as instructed by their chief, Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin, for all possible security scenarios during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
She added this is the essence of the annual “walk through” being conducted by the stakeholders in the religious procession.
Asilo said around 18,000 policemen will secure the Feast of the Black Nazarene
She also said the goal for this year includes the much earlier conclusion of the procession from the 20 hours last year to possibly 12 to 10 hours this year.
“We still have the same security preparations right now because the route is the same, the only difference is that it will be our goal to get in faster from 20 hours last year. Our goal now is to cut it in half, at least to 10 to 12 hours,” Asilo said in a televised radio interview with Super Radyo DZBB.
Ines said alternative routes will be opened as some roads will have to be closed to give way to the procession where the barefoot devotees participate.
He said the PNP has also issued rules regarding the prohibited items during the event.
