INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy 3, 500 police for the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Friday.
“Every year, millions of people from all walks of life participate in the festivities and we have to keep them safe from any harm,” Interior Secretary Mar Roxas said in a statement Thursday.
Roxas said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and the Manila Police District (MPD) have been closely coordinating since December to maintain peace and order during the annual celebration.
“The MPD has organized a task group responsible for the route security for the motorcade and parade, crowd control and management,” he said.
Roxas said the task group has begun clearing illegal vendors along the route of the procession, particularly in Plaza Miranda, Plaza Lacson and other areas surrounding the Quiapo Church.
He said anticrime operations were also being conducted to preempt and deter criminal activities that might occur during the day of the feast.
“This is the whole of PNP at work. Everyone is contributing to make sure that the both petty and high-profile criminals will not take advantage of the celebration,” he said.
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