THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil joined Black Nazarene devotees in praying for good health and prosperity and most important of them all, a peaceful and orderly Traslacion 2025.

The national police force is not lowering its guard and have instituted all security measures to protect the Black Nazarene devotees and the rest of the general public.

According to Alex Irasga, a technical advisor of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, they expect fewer devotees to join this year’s event.

He also said that to speed up the procession which ran for almost 15 hours last January 2024, they have made some changes in the carriage of the Nazarene.

“In-improve din namin yung mga gulong, na para po ba itong luggage lamang na magaan itulak. Kaya itong hilahin ng isang tao,” he said.

He added that there is also better ventilation in the carriage to reduce moisture inside the tempered glass encasing the revered icon of Jesus Nazarene.

The National Capital Region Police Office headed by Brigadier Gen. Anthony Aberin and the Manila Police District under Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas C. Ibay is in-charge of the massive Traslacion 2025 security preparations.

Police have already conducted a walkthrough of the procession starting from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park en route to Quiapo Church to identify road hazards and plan emergency responder stations along the route.

The Pahalik sa Poong Nazareno will be held at Quirino Grandstand from January 7 to 9, followed by the Cardinal’s Mass on the morning of the Traslacion.

This year’s procession will follow the same route as last year, according to organizers.

Around 14,000 policemen, members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines will be deployed to maintain peace and order during the event.

The 3rd major in-person ‘Traslacion or the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila since the pandemic will be fully secured by government troops with the help of their ‘force multipliers.’

Apart from the police force, members of the AFP, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Metro Manila Development Authority will also guard the event as well as ‘force multipliers’ from the Manila City government and other volunteers.

An estimated 2.5 million people are expected to attend the event. Although it has not monitored any security threats for the event, police are not keeping their guards down and are ensuring all security leaks will be plugged completely.

The Traslacion will start from Quirino Grandstand, turn left to Katigbak Street; pass through Padre Burgos Street; and along Finance Road, and Palanca, Arlegui, Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Castillejos, Farnecio, Nepomuceno, Concepcion Aguila, Carcer, Hidalgo, Bilibid Viejo, Gil Puyat, and J.P De Guzman Streets; under the Quezon Bridge; and Villalobos Street en route to Plaza Miranda right outside the church.

An estimated three million faithful joined the last Traslacion in 2020 which lasted for nearly 16-hours.

In 2018 and 2019, police said the procession lasted for nearly 24 hours and was attended overall by around four million people.

A gun ban is already being strictly enforced by the police in Manila and some areas have also been declared as ‘no-fly zones.’

All Permit-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence issued to licensed gun holders have been suspended throughout Manila starting 12:01 a.m. of January 5, Friday up to 12:01 a.m. of January 10, Wednesday.

This is to ensure that the Traslacion will be purged from firearm-related incidents and to ensure the safety of the devotees, police said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon