No verified threats in Nazarene procession so far, says police
Nazareno 2024: Live Updates for The Feast of Black Nazarene
THE SUNDAY BEFORE FEAST DAY People flock to Quiapo Church in Manila to attend a Mass leading to Tuesday’s celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. Health officials remind devotees to observe health protocols, while environmentalists appeal for a “litter-free” procession. (Photo from RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines — On the eve of the religious event, police reported “no verified threats” against this year’s Traslacion or procession of the Nazarene.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Eunice Salas said despite the absence of a threat, the police will still be on guard.
“Sa ngayon, wala pa tayong namo-monitor na verified threats para sa Traslacion,” said Salas in an interview over Radyo 630 on Monday.
(So far, we have not monitored any verified threats for Traslacion.)
“Pero hindi po namin ibaba ang aming guard at talagang tuloy-tuloy po ang ating intensive monitoring,”
(But we will not let our guard down, and our intensive monitoring is really continuous.)
“Ide-deploy po natin ang the maximum number of personnel to ensure best safety and security of this event,” she added.
(We will deploy the maximum number of personnel to ensure the best safety and security for this event.)
Salas said that as early as Saturday, January 6, they raised a “full alert status” in Metro Manila so that the police deployed would be at the highest level of preparedness.
Despite being in “full force” for Traslacion, Salas noted there would still be law enforcers who would perform regular duties.
“Sa 15,000 natin na police personnel, nabanggit ko pong merong 3,000 na made-deploy from Region 4A and Region 3. Sila po ang tatao doon sa police stations na maiiwang bakante,” Salas explained.
(Of our 15,000 police personnel, I mentioned that there are 3,000 who will be deployed from Region 4A and Region 3. They will man the police stations that will be left vacant.)
Citing NCRPO Regional Director Police Brigadier General Jose Nartatez Jr.’s words, Salas said NCRPO’s organic personnel were assigned to the “frontline” for the Traslacion.
Augmented personnel, on the other hand, will be at the police station for “regular functions.”
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9.
The religious event is expected to draw millions of devotees.
