Traslacion: Black Nazarene to be encased in glass

MANILA, Philippines — The image of the Black Nazarene will be encased in glass during the traditional traslacion on Jan. 9, according to a Quiapo Church official.

In an interview with GMA Integrated News, Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Jesus Madrid Jr. said the glass case is meant to protect the religious image and devotees.

In the past, traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene has resulted in injuries and deaths as devotees attempt to climb the carriage and touch parts of the wooden image of Jesus Christ or the upper part of the cross.

The Quiapo Church management is expecting millions of Catholic devotees to participate in the traslacion after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy at least 16,000 personnel to ensure the safety of traslacion participants.

At a news briefing at Camp Crame yesterday, PNP public information officer Col. Jean Fajardo said they would secure the Quirino Grandstand where the procession will start and the routes leading to Quiapo Church or the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene.

Fajardo noted that 14,000 police officers secured the traslacion in 2020, which drew around two million devotees.

Among the security measures to be implemented by police during the procession are restrictions on the carrying of backpacks, canister bottles and umbrellas.

Fajardo advised people who will participate in the event to carry transparent bags for easier inspection by police. – Emmanuel Tupas