Thousands of devotees try to touch the image of the Black Nazarene in the Traslacion 2017. (File photo by GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is set to put in place security measures such as no signal, no-fly and no-sail zones during this year’s Traslacion on January 9.
NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar said in a press briefing on Friday these security systems will be employed to avoid any untoward incidents, even as he noted they have not monitored any “direct threat” to the event’s safety.
“We have requested for the area to be no-fly zone, no-sail zone, as well as no-telecom signal zone even though wala naman tayong sinasabing direct threat or confirmed report in the security during this coverage,” Eleazar said.
“Just the same, we are coordinating with appropriate agencies in order for us to monitor kung ano ang nangyayari, and to be able to have these preparations or this celebration successful and peaceful,” he added.
Authorities would usually jam telecom signals for the annual Traslacion — a Black Nazarene procession from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church — as a measure to prevent bomb attacks, which typically uses mobile phone calls as trigger. The procession also crosses Pasig River via Jones Bridge.
READ: Gun ban, signal jamming, no-fly zone in Manila on Jan. 9 – MPD
Earlier, the city government of Manila has declared the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, in anticipation of millions of devotees who would join Traslacion.
READ: Gov’t work, classes in Manila suspended on January 9 for Traslacion
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