Nazareno 2025: PCG to deploy 1,100 staff to back security efforts

FILE PHOTO: A Catholic devotee kisses the glass cover of the Black Nazarene during the annual religious procession in Manila on January 9, 2024. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful swarmed a historic statue of Jesus Christ as it was pulled through the streets of the Philippine capital on January 9, in one of the world’s biggest displays of religious devotion. – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy more than 1,100 personnel to support other law enforcement agencies and the local government in ensuring public safety for “Nazareno 2025.” Earvin Perias | Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will deploy more than 1,100 personnel to support other law enforcement agencies and the local government in ensuring public safety for “Nazareno 2025.”

According to the PCG, Commandant Ronnie Gil Gavan had directed the Coast Guard District National Capital Region-Central Luzon to dispatch its staff and help police and Manila manage or address possible security-related risks such as terrorism and stampede during the January 9 Black Nazarene procession called Traslacion.

Traslacion is the annual grand religious procession of the Black Nazarene’s image around Manila, which draws millions of devotees.

READ: PNP chief orders ‘extensive’ security preparations for Nazareno 2025

“We are expecting millions of devotees who will attend the series of activities during Black Nazarene Traslacion 2025,” Gavan said in a statement on Monday, January 6.

“The PCG assists in ensuring public safety and security against possible risks, including terrorism, stampedes, fire within nearby areas, and natural disasters, such as an earthquake during the yearly Catholic commemoration,” he added.

The teams included in PCG’s monitoring efforts until January 10 are Coast Guard K9 teams, explosive ordnance disposal units, special operations groups, civil disturbance management teams, and deployable response groups.

READ: Nazareno 2025: What devotees need to know for this year’s Traslacion

They will be “strategically assigned at the Quirino Grandstand, Jones Bridge, and within the vicinity of Quiapo Church,” the PCG noted.

“Teams of Coast Guard intelligence experts, crowd security personnel, and medical officers are also present to ensure maximum security and safety, especially during the Black Nazarene procession,” it added.

Aside from these personnel, the PCG said it will dispatch 21 floating assets that “will conduct maritime security and safety operations in the vicinity waters of the Pasig River and Manila Bay” during Nazareno 2025.

It added that nine of its vehicles will likewise patrol Manila for surveillance.