ANTIPOLO CITY — Police and local government authorities will be strict in enforcing peace and order in Antipolo City as thousands of people are expected to converge here as part of their observance of Holy Week.

Lt. Col. June Paolo Abrazado, chief of police of Antipolo told Manila Bulletin that police personnel are being augmented by the so-called force multipliers- the city government’s Office of the Public Safety and Security (OPSS), village watchmen and members of the socio-civic volunteer groups to ensure the safety of the people who will troop to the Antipolo Cathedral for their annual pilgrimage and devotion during this Lenten season.
Abrazado said mass gatherings, including the so-called Alay Lakad (Penitential Walk) are prohibited to ensure that the health and safety protocols mandated by the government will not be compromised.
Although church initiated activities are allowed especially now that the city is under Alert Level 1 status, police personnel have been tasked to make sure that the health and safety measure against the possible spread of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) will be practiced by regularly reminding the people on social distancing and the proper wearing of face mask.
Other religious sites, including the White Cross, a prayer sanctuary that is usually a favorite site of pilgrims during Holy Week, has been closed to the public.
Police are reminding the public to be aware of their safety against criminals by not wearing expensive jewelry, and securing their personal belongings in their vehicles at all times.
Traditionally, millions of devotees trek to Antipolo’s cathedral during Holy Thursday towards Good Friday to perform their annual devotion of praying inside or outside the National Shrine of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage.
This year, the city government and the Diocese of Antipolo City both announced that Lent and summer related activities such as Alay Lakad and Maytime Festival that tend to attract huge crowds will not be allowed this year to ensure that health and safety of the public will not be compromised. Both encourage the public to have complete vaccination against Covid-19.