MANILA, Philippines — Emergency response volunteers will be vigilant during the procession of the Black Nazarene from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church amid bomb threats raised by no less than President Benigno Aquino III.
In an interview, Peter Arcadio Concepcion, deployment officer of the Emergency Rescue Association, admitted that Aquino’s warning was alarming but he nevertheless said that they were prepared for any eventuality.
“Vigilant kami, nagbabantay kami para sa mga kahinahinalang tao, ” Concepcion told INQUIRER.net.
He added that the volunteers will remain on duty and on call the whole day.
“Hindi kami aalis hanggat hindi nakakapasok ang Nazareno (Black Nazarene) sa Quiapo Church,” Concepcion said.
He added that they have 88 personnel volunteers and 80 available ambulances deployed all over the route of the procession.
These volunteers are from various rescue teams from all over the metro and neighboring cities and others are from non-government organizations who were all under the ERA.
He added that they expected an influx of minor injuries and wounds during the course of the procession.
Rescue volunteers were also trained to administer CPR and other first aid procedures in case more severe cases turn up through out the day.