The Manila Police District (MPD) is expected to deploy 500 of its personnel within the vicinity of the Quiapo Church during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno on January 9.
“That will be the start ng festivities natin – ‘yung blessing ng replica, then first Friday and first Sunday of the year. So lahat ‘yun pinaghahandaan natin,” said MPD director Brigadier General Thomas Ibay in Jaime Santos’ report in Unang Balita on Monday.
(That will be the start of our festivities – from the blessing of the replica, the first Friday and Sunday masses of the year. So we are all preparing for those events.)
Some roads will be closed during the annual feast which draws millions of devotees. But Villalobos Street will be opened for churchgoers, the MPD said.
“Ang papasukan lang po ng mga magsisimba ay dito lang po sa Villalobos. Lahat na po sa mga side, e-exit na, para hindi na magkasalu-salubong. Ma-co-control po natin ang pagpasok ng mga tao,” said Ibay.
(Churchgoers can only enter through Villalobos. All roads on the side are only for exit so we can control the entry of people.)
Further, the police will conduct a walk through on the first week of January to check possible obstructions on the route of the Traslacion, or the procession of the 400-year-old black image of Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church.
Overall, 13,000 uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection will provide security and assistance on January 9.
Authorities are reminding devotees to avoid bringing big bags. Only clear bags will be allowed.
Big amounts of money and wearing of jewelry are also not encouraged.
Caps and hats are not allowed as well. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/KG, GMA Integrated News
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