BUTUAN CITY – Over 700 policemen have been mobilized to secure the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday, Jan. 9.
Additional forces – the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF), one platoon standby CDM, and Quick Reaction Team – are on standby, Police Regional Office 10-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Joann G. Navarro said.
“All security preparations already in place, and our intensified police visibility in key areas also went into high gear,” Navarro said.
Thousands of devotees are expected to gather at churches and participate in the vigil and grand procession.
The procession will begin at 6 a.m. at the San Augustine Cathedral Church, pass through Dolores St., Velez St., and CM Recto Ave., and concludes at the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church.
“PRO-10 will deploy a maximum number of Civil Disturbance Management personnel, along with both overt and covert personnel, to provide extensive security support throughout the event,” said PRO-10 Director Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen C. de Guzman.
“As this sacred occasion draws near, we are committed to maintaining peace and order while ensuring the safety of all devotees,” he said.
“We are proactively implementing measures to address any security concerns, including enhancing traffic management and deploying personnel to deter any unlawful activities.”
“Our police force is prepared to respond swiftly to any threats. We urge everyone to cooperate with authorities to make this event safe and successful,” he added.