Black Nazarene devotees who will refuse to heed calls for minimum health and safety protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields and physical distancing, will face arrest, Manila's police chief said.
Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco, Manila Police District (MPD) director, said the police will practice maximum tolerance with the devotees but may arrest them if they become "unruly."
"Naka-prepare ang BJMP bus, naka-stand by doon para doon pansamantalang ikukulong for mga petty crimes like snatching (The BJMP bus is prepared there where those who will be arrested for petty crimes, like snatching, will be detained)," he told reporters in a phone call.
"'Pag hindi pagsuot ng face mask, bibigyan natin. 'Pag ayaw niya, saka natin aarestuhin sa pila (When they are not wearing face masks, we will detain them. If they refuse, that's the time that we arrest them)," he added.
The Manila Public Employment Service Office earlier said it will distribute face masks to devotees who will troop to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila and on surrounding areas on Friday (January 8) and Saturday (January 9).
Despite the cancellation of the massive Traslacion procession on Saturday, some 6,000 police officers and 1,000 police multipliers will be deployed in preparation for the expected surge of devotees at the church on the said day, Francisco said.
The Manila police chief said the cops will be unarmed but will have yantoks to enforce physical distancing among devotees.
Various checkpoints will be set up where the police will inspect bags, check temperatures, and to ensure that the devotees are wearing face masks and face shields.
Francisco told those who plan to go out on Saturday to carry transparent bags for faster checking and leave children and senior citizens at their homes.
"Nananawagan rin kami na sa ating mga deboto na iyong mga bata at yung may mga edad na mahigit 65, ay huwag na pumunta dito dahil hindi kayo papapasukin sa checkpoints (We are calling on the devotees, children and those who are over the age of 65 should not come here because we will not allow you beyond the checkpoints)," he said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Francisco also said the authorities are still discussing whether to shut down cellphone signals on Saturday.
Alex Irasga, head of the technical working group for Traslacion 2021, said there will be 15 masses to be held on Saturday starting 4:30 a.m. at Quiapo Church, Sta. Cruz Church, and San Sebastian Church.
Each church can only accept 400 per mass. This means that up to 6,000 devotees could attend masses on the said day. When there are already 6,000 people lined up at the said churches, it will no longer accept any more devotees.
Those who will not be able to make it inside the churches can view the mass via LED screens (about 12 of them) to be installed along Quezon Boulevard, Carriedo, Carlos Palanca, Plaza Miranda, Plaza San Juan, among others. Each area can hold up to 750 people.
The Manila city government has also announced the closure of several roads to encourage people to practice their faith and worship to the Black Nazarene at home.