5,000 cops set to secure Black Nazarene procession

Thousands of devotees try to touch the image of the Black Nazarene. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE

About 5,000 policemen will be deployed for the security of the Feast of the Black Nazarene next week, the Manila Police District (MPD) said on Tuesday.

Supt. Erwin Margarejo, MPD spokesman, said that the high number of policemen deployed, with an additional 1,500 augmented forces, was to ensure the safety of devotees and other people during the feast on Jan. 9.

The 1,500 augmented forces will be coming from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and other police units, Radyo Inquirer 990 AM reported.

Margarejo said that MPD has made a special task force on areas that have been placed on heightened alert such as Plaza Miranda, Quirino Grandstand at the route of the procession, the report said.

The MPD will coordinate with other agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Health and other non-government organizations to ensure proper measures are in place to make the annual religious event safe for every one.

The police department is preparing for a higher number of devotees that will attend this year’s Black Nazarene feast, after it recorded an about 15 millions devotees last year.With Ruel Perez/Radyo Inquirer /jpv