THERE has no reported threat to the Black Nazarene feast but security preparations and intensified monitoring continues, said the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The feast of the Black Nazarene is held every year on Jan. 9. It is one of the country’s biggest Catholic events, drawing millions of devotees and visitors. The icon, which will again be the center of an hours-long procession or Traslacion, is housed at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, or Quiapo church.
PNP spokesperson and information chief Col. Jean Fajardo said that the police had not monitored any serious threat to the Traslacion.
Fajardo said that the Manila Police District led by Director Col. Arnold Thomas Ibay conducted simulation exercises.
The Traslacion will start at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. The procession will turn left to Katigbak Street; pass through Padre Burgos Street; and along Finance Road, and Palanca, Arlegui, Fraternal, Vergara, Duque de Alba, Castillejos, Farnecio, Nepomuceno, Concepcion Aguila, Carcer, Hidalgo, Bilibid Viejo, Gil Puyat, and J.P De Guzman Streets; under the Quezon Bridge; and Villalobos Street en route to Plaza Miranda right outside the church.
The Traslacion will return to its old format since it was suspended from 2021 to 2023 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the procession that lasted 16 hours had about three million participants.
