MILLIONS of devotees converge in Quiapo, Manila, Monday for the yearly procession of the Black Nazarene, as the government tightens security over fears of reprisal from a terrorist group whose leader was killed by government agents last week.
Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Paz Banaag said there was no specific threat against the procession, which last year drew an estimated 15-million devotees, even as the Philippine National Police planned to block cellphone signals in the area during the procession as a precaution.
Last week, security officials led by Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said a retaliatory attack was possible after government agents and police killed Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, leader of the Ansar Khalifa Philippines (AKP), which has sworn allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group.
Banaag said the police were taking nothing for granted and were putting up measures to prevent a terrorist attack so that the faithful could focus on the event, and not the threat to their safety.
“The PNP is working so hard so that the devotees would not worry and will be able to focus on the event,” she said.
She added that President Rodrigo Duterte was satisfied with the security plans of the PNP and the Armed Forces, and was confident they would do all they can to stop a terrorist attack.
Still, she said, there was no assurance that the devotees would be 100-percent safe.
“You know we are not God that we could protect everything,” she said.
Banaag declined to comment on Sueno’s warning that bombers from terrorist groups such as the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Abu Sayyaf or the Maute group could already be in Metro Manila to launch attacks.
“I would prefer to not comment on that… Secretary Sueno would clarify those matters,” she said.
Banaag urged devotees to take the usual precautions during the procession.
Church officials estimate some 17-million devotees are expected to attend the procession of the Black Nazarene—or the Traslacion—on Monday.
Msgr. Hernando Coronel, rector of Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church, said they hope the image will be inside the basilica in the evening of the feast day.
Last year, the Traslacion ended 20 hours after it left Quirico Grandstand at past 6 a.m.
For this year, the feast day will begin at midnight with a mass to be presided by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle at the grandstand.
The Traslacion 2017 will begin after the 5 a.m. morning prayer to be headed by the Quiapo parish priest.
The National Capital Region Police Office reported that as of Sunday noon, the crowd at the grandstand had already reached 24,000.
Most of the people were lining up for the traditional “pahalik” of the Black Nazarene.
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada called on the devotees to be mindful of their trash and keep the city streets as clean as possible.
“Let’s make this solemn feast of the Black Nazarene more meaningful by keeping our environment clean. We should refrain from carelessly throwing our garbage anywhere for it spoils the spirit of this revered tradition,” Estrada said.
Estrada said it would be a big help to the city government if the devotees, as well as vendors and others taking part in the religious activity, observe proper discipline in taking care of their waste.
Estrada said there will be portable toilets in strategic areas for the use of the devotees as well as a sufficient number of garbage bins along the route of the procession where they can throw trash like food and beverage containers.
He also advised devotees to avoid spitting and urinating in public places, especially near Quiapo Church. With PNA