Black Nazarene steps out after three years

Devotees of Jesus the Black Nazarene will be barred from climbing onto the carriage carrying the life-size religious icon when the procession of the Black Nazarene makes its return for the first time in three years in Manila on Jan. 9.

“Our first reminder is climbing is prohibited. No one will climb onto the “andas” (carriage) of our Lord Jesus the Nazarene so everyone can see him and he is the star of the procession,” said Fr. Jesus Madrid Jr., one of the recently ordained deacons of Quiapo Church, in a video released through the church’s social media account.He said devotees may still hand over their handkerchiefs to the people on the carriage guarding the Black Nazarene image, so the latter may wipe the handkerchiefs on the image.Madrid also said devotees may also take turns in touching the rope pulling the carriage, “just [be] careful so no one will be hurt while we are pulling the rope during the procession.” He also urged elderly, very young and physically weak devotees to stay on the sidewalk during the procession to avoid injury.

Madrid also reminded devotees not to bring backpacks and water bottles, except transparent ones, because the Philippine National Police was very concerned about security. The PNP is expected to deploy about 15,200 personnel to secure the procession because they are expecting about 2.5 million to join the “Traslacion,” based on the volume of crowd during the last grand procession in 2020.

“While there are no reported major security threats and we are hoping for the best [outcome], I will reiterate that we are preparing for the worst scenario,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. told reporters in Camp Crame on Wednesday.The 15,200 police force to be deployed will be from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), particularly the Manila Police District.

Acorda said this might increase as Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, the NCRPO director and overall supervisor of the security preparations for the event, requested additional forces.

The PNP chief said the area of the Traslacion will also be a no-fly zone while signal jammers are also being considered to be deployed as a “contingency” measure.

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The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan also ordered the deployment of K-9 units and to conduct paneling at Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge and within Quiapo Church areas.

Aside from augmenting crowd control operatives, PCG personnel will also assist security forces in the Pasig River and Manila Bay through coastal patrols. INQ