By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it would deploy more than 18,000 officers to secure the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila on Jan. 9.
NCRPO Director PMaj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the deployment includes 15,946 officers for area and route security and 2,266 personnel who would serve as an augmentation force.
He said the deployment of personnel would begin as early as Tuesday evening, with full deployment eyed on Wednesday.
“Yung deployment natin ay buong NCRPO. As a matter of fact, we will be augmented by Regions 4A and Region 3 and ‘yong activity, concentrated yung activity sa Manila pero yung personnel na gagamitin natin ay the whole NCRPO,” Aberin said in a press conference.
He said they are working with local government units, religious groups, and other concerned agencies to ensure peace and order during the religious observance.
“All of our intelligence units and other law enforcement units with intelligence capability, two months or three months ago, ay nangangalap na ng mga impormasyon relative to the threats towards this activity, and so far, the result as of now, no threats have been monitored,” Aberin said.
Aberin, meanwhile, said the use of drone cameras is not allowed, as the route of the Traslacion (grand procession) is declared a no-fly zone.
He added they also sought the national police headquarters’ approval for the suspension of all permits to carry firearms outside of residences in Metro Manila from Jan. 8 to 10.
“Aside from that, ni-request rin natin na irepresent tayo sa NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) for the signal disruption doon sa areas kung saan gaganapin yung Traslacion, on the D-Day yung sa signal disruption on that particular place kung nasaan yung andas doon yung nire-request namin, hindi yung buong NCR,” Aberin said.
He urged devotees not to bring valuables and large amounts of cash to minimize risk of theft.
Bringing bladed items, backpacks, and potentially hazardous items is also prohibited, he added.
For his part, Manila Police District Director PBrig. Gen. Arnold Abad said that aside from members of the Hijos del Nazareno, hundreds of police officers who are also devotees, called “hijos-pulis”, will serve as partners of the church in securing the event.
“Ang mga hijos police ay members ng PNP na deboto rin at sila bilang deboto at pulis ang mangangalaga sa andas. Sila yung aming conduit para sa mga deboto. Hindi solely na hijos police lang, kasama rin ang hijos de Nazareno. Actually, sila yung nagti-train at nagtuturo dahil ito ay mga bagong deboto at volunteers. More or less 800 cops,” Abad said. (PNA)
