MANILA, Philippines — Traslacion 2024 spokesperson Fr. Hans Magdurulang on Monday called on the devotees of the Black Nazarene to trust and support the measures that authorities have put in place to ensure the security of the feast of the sacred image.
“Ang pakiusap natin sa ating mga ka-deboto, sana tayo po ay sana matuto pong magtiwala rin at sumuporta po sa kung ano man ang tila mas nararapat na gawin ng ating mga awtoridad,” he said.
(Our plea to our fellow devotees is to learn to trust and support whatever seems to be the right course of action that our authorities are taking.)
Magdurulang’s call is in reaction to some mass-goers’ sentiments that the strict security measures being implemented at Quiapo Church are excessive.
These security measures include the “Single Entry, Multiple Exits” scheme which means that devotees who want to enter the Quiapo Church to hear mass may only enter through one designated entrance located at Villalobos Street.
Before entering the church grounds, mass attendees are required to pass through a metal detector, while their bags undergo inspection using an X-ray machine.
But for other mass-goers, the security measures are most welcome, pointing out that such protocols have increased their confidence in the safety of the church’s vicinity.
“Mas OK iyong ganito, mas organized. Tapos mas secured ka sa sarili mo, na-iiscan lahat. Mas maganda nga dahil walang dumaraan sa sidewalk, nahaharang talaga nila. Isa lang yung entry tapos ilan lang din yung exit,” said Xander Dela Cruz, a devotee.
(This is much better, more organized. You are more secure about yourself, everything is scanned. It’s better because nobody can enter through the sidewalks, they are being stopped. There is only one entrance and only a few exits.)
Dela Cruz likewise noted that this is the first time in years that he had attended Fiesta masses at Quiapo Church and the security measures were a pleasant surprise.
For Elma Lyn Santos, church officials and security personnel should continue the strict safety protocols.
“Secured, at the same time, officers are visible. They are all over the place. It’s better if they continue doing this moving forward,” she said in Filipino.
Office for Transportation Security Supervisor Apple Anterola said that with the help of the security measures, they have confiscated butterfly knives, card knives, and some suspected ammunition from people who tried smuggling the prohibited items inside the church.
RELATED STORIES:
