By Priam Nepomuceno with reports from Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — With the annual “Traslacion” just two days away, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) announced on Monday that it is on full alert status to secure the yearly religious event.
“We will dispatch about 7,200 uniformed personnel to work hand-in-hand with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, local government units, medical teams and other peacekeeping partners to ensure maximum safety and security of the masses throughout the procession,” NCRPO Director Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar said in a statement to reporters.
Eleazar said uniformed personnel will be securing Quirino Grandstand, Quiapo Church and the 6.1-kilometer route, which is divided into 10 segments, with each segment to be manned by a commander who will be accompanied by a medical team and several agencies equipped for emergency assistance.
“The next security on critical points and the security control checkpoint that will conduct checkpoint operations in the area leading to and coming from the procession…Manila is adjacent to seven cities so we will employ all the other four districts to conduct their security operations,” the NCRPO chief said.
Meanwhile, Eleazar advised devotees not to bring items and refrain from activities that can potentially cause harm.
“No fly-zone, no sail-zone will be strictly implemented. We have also coordinated with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and Department of Information and Communications (DICT) to jam telecommunication signals along the routes and during the procession,” he added.
Devotees and spectators are also discouraged from bringing backpacks and valuables, wearing caps, bringing colored beverages or drinks in non-transparent containers, explosives or firecrackers, liquor, illegal drugs, and deadly weapons.
Eleazar said the liquor ban starting 7 p.m. of January 7 will be strictly enforced.
“Rumors of threat have circulated; however, these either have no basis or are unreliable. There is no confirmed threat as of the moment in time for the annual feast. Continuous coordination with various agencies and intelligence communities is being undertaken, and the NCRPO will remain on full alert status until the termination of ‘Traslacion’ 2019,” he added.
