By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
Around 200 police officers will participate in the annual Traslacion on Jan. 9, the centerpiece of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
At a press conference on Monday, Alex Irasga, technical adviser of Quiapo Church, said the police officers, who are also devotees, will serve not in their official capacity but as “hijos” of the Nazareno.
They will wear special uniforms featuring the image of the Nazarene and the words “Pulis ng Panginoon” while performing a special duty—assisting in securing the Ándas (carriage) while monitoring the crowd.
“They would not be performing their duties at the procession as policemen but as hijos. They would be wearing distinct uniform showing the image of the Nazareno and the words ‘Pulis ng Panginoon’,” he said.
Fr. Robert Arellano, parochial vicar of Quiapo Church, assured the public that the presence of police would not intimidate devotees.
“They are one with you as hijos, and to maintain order and ensure a peaceful procession,” he said.
In addition to the 200 devoted policemen, the Philippine National Police will deploy around 14,000 personnel in Manila for the event, including reinforcements from Regional Offices 3 and 4-A.
The Traslacion will follow a 5.8-kilometer route from the Quirino Grandstand to Quiapo Church, expected to last about 15 hours, similar to the 2025 procession.
Meanwhile, Quiapo Church officials said they will be implementing entry routes for Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand. For those who are going to Quiapo, the public is advised that the entrance to the Church is via Quezon Blvd, Carriedo, Villalobos, Palanca (from Carriedo and Quinta Market).
As for those who will be going to Luneta, they are directed to enter via Quezon Bridge, Nagtahan/UN, Jones Bridge, and McArthur Bridge (all through Taft and Kalaw).
The roads that are closed for devotees are: (Grandstand area) Katigbak, Independence, Roxas Boulevard corner Padre Burgos, Padre Burgos (Finance to Roxas Boulevard); Quiapo Church: Evangelista, Paterno, Ronquillo streets (all exit routes only); Ayala Bridge, P. Casal, C. Palanca, and R. Hidalgo (Guzman to Carcer).
READ MORE: Quiapo Church announces Nazareno 2026 activities, Traslacion route
