400 soldiers eyed for Black Nazarene feast security in Quiapo
MANILA, Philippines—The military, through Joint Task Force National Capital Region, will deploy at least 400 troopers to help secure one of the country’s biggest religious traditions, the Feast of Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, on Saturday (Jan. 9).
Preparations are being worked out by the local government of Manila and the Church to prevent crowding, but devotees are still expected to flock to the church that houses the Black Nazarene image believed to be miraculous.
The Department of Health urged devotees to hear Mass online instead. Because of quarantine restrictions, churches have a limit capacity of 30 percent. Large screens airing Mass would be installed outside.
The traditional Traslacion, one of the biggest religious processions in the country and the highlight of the Black Nazarene feast, was cancelled to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which is transmitted mainly by human carriers.
Task force spokesperson Lt. Arrianne Bichara encouraged the public “to participate in the peaceful and orderly observance of the 2021’s Feast of Black Nazarene and to always observe health protocols against COVID-19.”
TSB
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