MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Thursday it would deploy more than 14,000 officers to secure the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila on January 9.
In a statement, NCRPO acting director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the deployment includes 12,168 officers for area and route security and 2,306 personnel who would serve as an augmentation force.
The preparations for the annual religious activity came right after the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Ligtas Paskuhan (Safe Christmas) initiative, Aberin added.
The NCRPO previously deployed 10,984 officers to maintain peace and order in the region from December 16, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
No major incidents, except for some firecracker-related injuries, were recorded during the New Year festivities.
“Our intensified police visibility in key areas, the conduct of aggressive and relentless anti-crime operations, and the active participation of community members in the security coverage significantly removed the opportunity of lawless elements to commit their criminal acts,” Aberin said.
“This strategy with minor modifications will be adopted as NCRPO will secure the Kapistahan ng Nazareno (Feast of the Black Nazarene) in a few days’ time.”
The route of the annual Black Nazarene procession or Traslacion on January 9 will remain the same.
The procession will begin at the Quirino Grandstand, turn right to Katigbak Drive (left side), right to Padre Burgos Street through Finance Road, go straight to Ayala Bridge, left to Palanca Street, right to Quezon Boulevard, right to Arlegui Street, right to Fraternal Street, right to Vergara Street, left to Duque de Alba Street, left to Castillejos Street, left to Farnecio Street, right to Arlegui Street, left to Nepomuceno Street, left to Concepcion Aguila Street, right to Carcer Street, right to Hidalgo through Plaza del Carmen, left to Bilibid Viejo through Gonzalo Puyat, left to JP De Guzman Street, right to Hidalgo Street, left to Quezon Boulevard, right to Palanca Street through under Quezon Bridge, right to Villalobos through Plaza Miranda, and finally to Quiapo Church.
The Traslacion or the procession of the image from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to Quiapo Church is the highlight of the annual religious event.
A Fiesta Mass will be held at the grandstand midnight of the feast day. (PNA)