The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will mobilize more than 14,000 cops to secure the upcoming Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on January 9.
In a statement, NCRPO acting director, Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said the mobilization includes 12,168 officers for area and route security and 2,306 personnel who would serve as an augmentation force.
The NCRPO previously deployed 10,984 officers to maintain peace and order in the region from December 16, 2024 to January 1, 2025 wherein they reported that no major incidents, except for some firecracker-related injuries, were recorded during the New Year revelry.
“Our intensified police visibility in key areas, the conduct of aggressive and relentless anti-crime operations, and the active participation of community members in the security coverage significantly removed the opportunity of lawless elements to commit their criminal acts,” Aberin said.
The route of the annual Black Nazarene procession or Traslacion on January 9 will remain the same.
The procession will begin at the Quirino Grandstand, turn right to Katigbak Drive (left side), right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road, go straight to Ayala Bridge, left to Palanca Street, right to Quezon Boulevard, right to Arlegui Street, right to Fraternal Street, right to Vergara Street, left to Duque de Alba Street, left to Castillejos Street, left to Farnecio Street, right to Arlegui Street, left to Nepomuceno Street, left to Concepcion Aguila Street, right to Carcer Street, right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat, left to JP De Guzman Street, right to Hidalgo Street, left to Quezon Boulevard, right to Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge, right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda, and finally to Quiapo Church.
Devotees from different places in the country meanwhile brought the image of the Black Nazarene to Quiapo Church for the annual blessing of the Nazareno replicas and estandartes.
The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of the Black Nazarene officials said nearly 500 replicas of the Black Nazarene or the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno were blessed on January 2, 2025.
After the blessing, a mass was officiated by Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown. The blessing of the replicas and estandarte is part of the celebration of the Black Nazarene’s feast on Jan. 9. The Traslacion or the procession of the image from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Quiapo Church is the highlight of the annual religious event.
The Manila City announced that there will be a ban on liquor, firecrackers, and guns in Manila on Jan. 9.
