Metro police on full alert for Traslacion
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2019 08:18:31 +0000
DEVOTEES attend the first Friday Mass at Minor de Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo Manila. Metro Manila police force is on full alert for the annual Traslacion on January 9. (Jansen Romero)
THE National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) will remain on full alert until the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on January 9 is over.
“Because of the Yuletide season, security alert of the PNP has been raised to full alert effective December 23 until, supposed to be, January 5 but for NCRPO we will remain on full alert,” said Metro Manila’s top cop Guillermo Eleazar during an inter-agency press conference on Friday.
He said signal jam will be experienced in parts of Manila, especially along the routes of Traslacion.
Likewise, sailing and flying will be prohibited during the procession of the Black Nazarene from Quirino Granstand to Quiapo Church.
Eleazar said this is to ensure public safety and security although no threats have been monitored.
“For now, we want to make sure even though according to our data there are no threats. It’s better to be safe,” he said.
For his part, Manila Police District (MPD) chief Vicente Danao, Jr. advised those who will participate in the annual religious event not to bring bags anymore to avoid hassle as they will be conducting thorough inspection.
“We will implement stop, freeze, and search method. All of the bags will be inspected. So to avoid being disturbed, better not to bring bags,” he said.
“We also discourage the use of colored water canisters as they can be filled with dangerous substances or items. Bring transparent drinking bottles, instead,” he added.
ZERO-VENDOR POLICY
Meanwhile, the city government of Manila will strictly impose a zero-vendor policy in all Traslacion areas in a bid to reduce trash.
“At 10 a.m. on January 10 last year we were still collecting garbage. At least 95 truckloads of trash were collected then mostly within the vicinity of the church,” said lawyer Ericson Alcovendaz, city administrator.
According to the local official, clearing operations on Saturday will begin at Plaza Miranda where numerous food items and Black Nazarene replicas and memorabilia are sold.
He said those who will defy the order will be arrested.
SECURED BRIDGE
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) assured that the Jones Bridge, where millions of devotees are expected to pass, would be highly secured from the waterfront for the anticipated Traslacion.
During a press briefing on Friday morning, PCG Capt. Rolando Punzalan said that they have collected 30 watercrafts to cover the security in Manila Bay.
Punzalan said that a “no sail zone” policy will be implemented on the day of the procession and they will assign special operations divers and anti-terrorist team to provide safety for the devotees.
On the other hand, Department of Public Works and Highways-National Capital Region Engineer Rey Rosario said that some sections of roads in Manila still undergo repair to ensure that the route for the procession of the Black Nazarene is clear of any obstructions.
Rosario said that they were also conducting local and national road clearing in the city in cooperation with the Manila Department of Public Services and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
The McArthur Bridge which connects Quaipo to Taft Avenue in Manila is still undergoing repair so it is not included in the route, he said.
The procession of the Black Nazarene image will start at 7:00 a.m. at the Quirino Grandstand on January 9. (Ria Fernandez, Erma Edera)