‘No clear and present danger to procession’

Bato assures Nazarene devotees of safety

MANILA, Philippines – There is no credible and specific threat that may disrupt today’s observance of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa gave the assurance yesterday as he pointed out security measures are in place to maintain peace and order and to ensure the safety of the estimated 15 million people participating in the annual religious event.

“We have not monitored any credible and specific threat directed toward this event. But we are prepared for any eventuality just to be sure they won’t strike back or retaliate,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview, referring to terrorist groups in Mindanao.

“As of today, there is no clear and present danger toward the observance of the feast,” he stressed yesterday.

Dela Rosa made the assurance even after the United Kingdom and the United States issued their respective travel advisories, warning their citizens to take security precautions in traveling to the Philippines on the possibility of terror attacks during today’s celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) yesterday updated its travel advisory on the Philippines in view of reports that several members of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group are in Manila to disrupt the celebration marked by a massive hours-long procession.

President Duterte however is satisfied with the security preparations for the event, according to his officials.

“Well, yes, the President is satisfied and he knows that if there is something that worries him it would be the threat of retaliation from terrorist groups… Of course, we would not pray that it would happen,” Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ana Maria Banaag said.

“It could not be a good precedent to any other big activities in Metro Manila or any other part in the country. So somehow, he knows that the PNP, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) are doing their best, LGUs (local government units) are doing their best to make sure that any threat, any attempt of untoward incident would not push through,” she added.

Asked what assurance the government can give to devotees that they would be protected from terror attack, Banaag said: “You know, we are not God who can cover everything. What we will do is not just best efforts but we will truly work on keeping countrymen safe during the procession.”

Banaag said security forces are not taking chances even if the PNP has not detected specific threats.

“They don’t take for granted any possibility of retaliation efforts from the AKP- ISIS (Ansar al-Khilafah in the Philippines – Islamic State) after the neutralization of their leader. So, with that, they would be putting up measures to avoid any untoward incident,” she said.

Banaag was referring to Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, leader of the pro-IS terrorist group AKP, who was killed in a clash in Kiamba, Sarangani last Thursday.

Duterte and his Cabinet members are expected monitor the Traslacion (Black Nazarene procession) during their first meeting for the year today in Malacañang.

“We have a Cabinet meeting and we will monitor the Traslacion. We pray for the safety of everyone. Don’t worry, the Philippine National Police has been on top of the situation,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar added.

‘They should not be cowed’

The military for its part, is asking the devotees to go ahead and join the procession and “fulfill the beaconing of their faith.”

“They should not be cowed by reports of possible terrorist attacks as that will fulfill the desires of terrorists,” a statement released by the AFP’s Public Affairs Office read.

The AFP assured the public that security forces are prepared and have implemented measures to protect the devotees, starting in last night’s “Pahalik” at the Quirino Grandstand to today’s Traslacion.

“They should trust that their security forces are out there, among them, and looking over them in the entire period,” the AFP said.

Authorities advised devotees against bringing backpacks, weapons and pointed objects, drones and littering.

“Be the additional eyes, ears, and force multiplier to further augment the already beefed up number of military and police personnel by observing people acting suspiciously or packs left unattended; or other attendees violating established norms. These should be reported immediately to the nearest uniformed security forces,” the AFP said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said at least 5,000 policemen and their force-multipliers would be deployed along the route of the Traslacion.

Albayalde said policemen in civilian clothes would join the procession.

“We will be everywhere. We are covering all aspects of security of the Black Nazarene procession to secure the devotees against criminals and other groups out to harm them,” he said.

Dela Rosa added the PNP has requested the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut down the signal of cellphone networks, particularly in the areas where the procession is going to pass.

“We requested the NTC, actually we requested to shut down, not to jam, the cellphone signals just to be sure,” Dela Rosa said, referring to the method of triggering explosive devices using mobile phones.

He said the proposed shutting down of cellular networks would start in the morning even before the procession starts until 12 a.m. Tuesday.

“The problem however is that Malacañang would be affected if we were to shut down the cellphone networks,” he said.

Dela Rosa said the proposal is being discussed with security officials and authorities involved in the preparation for the annual religious procession.

He added the PNP would seek permission for the shutdown of the cellphone networks, which he described to be a small sacrifice for the safety of the general public.

Dela Rosa explained that the “sacrifice” would be less than 24 hours while the gun ban or suspension of the permit to carry firearms outside residence will be in effect for 48 hours.

Response

Civilian authorities also gave assurance of contingency measures to be implemented in today’s Traslacion.

Bong Nebrija, supervising operations officer of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), said they have the manpower and equipment in place for any untoward incident during the procession.

“The contingency planning is already there just in case there is violence or a crisis. We will respond appropriately,” Nebrija said.

The MMDA has deployed some 1,245 personnel in joining 15,700 security forces to secure today’s Traslacion which is expected to draw 15 million people.

About 70 percent of the MMDA’s enforcers are stationed at the Quirino Grandstand for the “Pahalik” while the rest are along the procession route going to Quiapo Church.

Thousands of devotees turned out last night at the grandstand for the “Pahalik” and the night vigil leading to the start of the Traslacion at 5 a.m. today.

Aside from the Quirino Grandstand, the MMDA is also focusing their attention on Jones Bridge, which is part of the procession route.

MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago said two ferry boats and 15 rescue boats will be deployed beneath the bridge, ready to rescue devotees who might accidentally fall from the bridge.

A total of 23 medical stations and 65 ambulances are ready to help devotees for medical assistance

“Part of the plan is to activate the west quadrant where there are evacuation centers in case something happens,” Pialago said.

A total of six evacuation centers have been readied.

Streets and sidewalks along the procession route were already cleared, officials said.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada urged the devotees against littering in the streets during the procession.

“Let’s make this solemn feast of the Black Nazarene more meaningful by keeping our environment clean. We should refrain from carelessly throwing our garbage anywhere for it spoils the spirit of this revered tradition,” Estrada said.

Estrada said he has instructed the city’s Department of Public Services to make sure there is “zero waste” during the Traslacion.

“This can be realized, of course, with the help of everyone,” Estrada said.

Estrada said portalets would be in place along the procession route and that a sufficient number of garbage bins would also be provided.

Estrada advised devotees to avoid spitting and urinating in public, particularly in places near Quiapo Church. – Alexis Romero, Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran, Rey Galupo, Edu Punay, Jose Rodel Clapano, Mayen Jaymalin