Police snipers, drones to help secure 'Traslacion 2018'

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will be deploying snipers and using drones to tighten the security for the Traslacion 2018 next week.

In a press briefing on Friday, Director Oscar Albayalde, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said a total of 5613 uniformed personnel of the PNP will be securing the annual procession on January 9 that draws in millions of the faithful across the country.

Members of the police's Special Action Force will also join security forces on the feast of the Black Nazarene. Snipers and SWAT units will also deployed starting the night of January 8 until early morning of January 10.

Albayalde said that snipers will be positioned in high-rise buildings. He added that they "will be deploying drones, in all segments" to monitor the procession.

READ: Police ready to secure Black Nazarene 'Traslacion'

“Merong  observer, may telescope ang SRU (Special Reaction Unit) ng SAF na magbabantay sa vital installations,” Albayalde added.

(We have an observer, telescope from Special Reaction Unit of the SAF that will guard vital installations.)

Security threats

The regional police chief also stressed that the police has not monitored or received any threats to the procession.

"Walang nakukuhang information pero hindi tayo pwede magrelax dito. Our [police] intelligence [group] is continuously monitoring threat groups," Albayalde said.

He shared that he has already sent a request for gun ban to the office of Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, chief of the PNP.

He said that he asked that starting January 8 to 10, the permit to carry guns outside residence be suspended. Albayalde expressed confidence that Dela Rosa will approve his request.

RELATED: LIST: Road closures for ‘Traslacion’ 2018 | LIST: Black Nazarene procession route, prayer stations for January 9

Officials estimated that 18.9 million devotees would join the Black Nazarene activities from Dec. 31 until Jan. 9.