761,620 devotees join Nazarene procession on Good Friday

MANILA, Philippines — At least 761,620 Catholic devotees joined the traditional procession of the Black Nacarene in Manila on Good Friday, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.

NCRPO data showed that around 445,000 devotees joined the grand procession, while over 216,000 waited at Quiapo Church.

Despite the huge crowd, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said this year’s Good Friday procession was “peaceful and secured.”

According to Nartatez, more than 6,000 personnel from different law enforcement agencies were deployed to secure the event.

While there were minor medical emergencies recorded, Nartatez said the NCRPO reported no security-related incidents both during the procession and at the church.

The Manila Police District recorded 122 people treated for minor injuries.

This year’s procession ended after 10 hours and 48 minutes. It began at 11:25 p.m. on Thursday and concluded at 10:20 a.m. the following day.

Last year, the traditional Good Friday procession of the Black Nazarene was held through a motorcade due to the COVID pandemic.