The Manila Police District (MPD) has deployed around 1,400 police officers to secure the Black Nazarene procession and to ensure public safety on Good Friday, April 15.
The MPD said it already deployed a total of 1,255 police officers prior to the procession of the Black Nazarene to handle the security and public safety measures and to strictly implement the minimum health protocols of all devotees and churchgoers doing the traditional Visita Iglesia.
The procession of the Black Nazarene started at 12 pm. When the crowd became unruly, the ground commander and church leaders decided to return the image of the Black Nazarene to the church, the police report said.
Authorities also strictly monitored the queuing of the people doing the Visita Iglesia.
The event drew at least 70,000 devotees around Plaza Miranda, Quezon Boulevard, Villalobos and Palanca Streets, the police report said.
The Black Nazarene is a life-sized, dark-colored, wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ that was brought to Manila by Augustinian priests in 1607.
It has been known to be miraculous by its Filipino devotees and its procession is a manifestation of the Filipinos’ deep faith, trust, and devotion to the black image of Jesus Christ. (Terence Ranis)