MANILA, Philippines — The number of devotees in this year’s Traslacion was estimated to have reached around 170,000 as the procession of the image of Black Nazarene passed through Ayala Bridge, according to the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO).
The MDRRMO reported that 70,000 have joined the procession as of 7:20 a.m. on Thursday while approximately 100,000 devotees are waiting at Quiapo Church for the arrival of the religious image, believed to grant miracles to the faithful.
Around 100,000 devotees attended a morning prayer in Quirino Grandstand before the venerated image left Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.
READ: Over 100k devotees grace 2020 Traslacion morning prayer in Rizal Park
Police earlier said the this year’s Traslacion is estimated to pull in around six million devotees.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. General Debold Sinas said around 16,000 police personnel have been tasked to secure the route of the traslacion from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Quiapo Church.
An “andas wall,” which is composed of over 2,000 members of the police force, has also been put in place to secure the “andas” or the vehicle that carries the Black Nazarene.