Quiapo Church beefs up security vs possible terrorism

MANILA, Philippines — The Quiapo Church yesterday beefed up its security and asked the faithful to exercise vigilance as a precautionary measure against possible terrorist attacks.

Quiapo Church parochial vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said they have increased their security in the wake of concerns that the church might be the next target following the deadly bombing of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu last Sunday.

Quiapo Church, or the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, is one of the most prominent Catholic churches in the country and has millions of devotees. Aside from its Sunday masses, it is also often filled up during Fridays.

“Right now we have intensified our K9 patrolling around the Quiapo Church… We have increased our security personnel who are conducting patrols twice or thrice more than their usual practice,” Badong said. 

He added their security personnel would often look under the pews and check on those who are sleeping outside the church’s premises. 

Badong also advised the devotees of the Black Nazarene to be vigilant.

“They should report if they see something suspicious. Let us help one another in ensuring the safety of one another,” he said.

Badong added that even before the Jolo bombing, they have long prohibited parking of vehicles near the church.

Various sectors led by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the global community condemned the Jolo bombing.

The United Muslim Federation of Western Visayas (UMFWV) joined the condemnation, saying terrorism has no place in Islam.

“That’s not our way of life,” said Hadji Muamar Faisal Arumpac, UMFWV regional chairman. – With Jennifer Rendon