MPIO clarifies: Portion of image of Black Nazarene’s cross ‘detachable’

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) clarified Thursday that a part of the image of the Black Nazarene’s cross was “detachable.”

MPIO made the clarification after reporting that a part of the image’s cross broke while turning right to Hidalgo Street.

“While it is true that a portion of the cross was bended when it was turning right on Hidalgo Street, that portion was actually detachable and bendable,” MPIO chief Julius Leonen said in a statement.

CLARIFICATION: This is to explain the short news release of the Manila Public Information Office with the caption "TINGNAN: Krus ng Imahen ng Itim na Nazareno, nabali habang pakanan ng Hidalgo."#AlertoManileno #Traslacion2020 pic.twitter.com/h1fvUVAgRI

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) January 9, 2020

A photo earlier posted by the MPIO showed one side of the cross bent as devotees surround the Black Nazarene’s image.

“The photographer who sent photos and details to this office was not able to provide us a full context of the situation. Rest assured that this office will learn from this incident to serve you better as the Manila City government’s public relations and communications arm,” he added.

Over 2 milion devotees have so far joined the Traslación of the Black Nazarene Thursday morning.

Authorities expect 6 million devotees participating at the procession which started past 4:00 a.m. when the image left Quirino Grandstand.