Photojournalist covering Nazarene procession dies

MANILA, Philippines — A photojournalist died yesterday while covering activities related to the annual Traslacion of the Feast of the Jesus Nazarene in Manila, authorities said.

The Manila Police District identified the fatality as Itoh Son, a photojournalist of tabloid Saksi and a member of the MPD Press Corps, based on information from the Presidential Task Force on Media Security.

MPD spokesman Maj. Philipp Ines said Son collapsed at around 2 a.m. in front of MPD Station 5, where he and fellow journalists were preparing to position themselves to cover events at the Quirino Grandstand.

“They had been doing continuous coverage since the morning and went straight to Station 5. Upon arriving at the entrance, he collapsed, possibly due to extreme fatigue,” Ines said in a phone interview.

He said Son was rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila, but later died.

The cause of death, believed to be a heart attack, has yet to be confirmed. Son was described to be over 50 years old.

Traslacion 2026 spokesman Fr. Robert Arellano, speaking during a press briefing at Quiapo Church, said the death was not considered a casualty directly related to the Traslacion since it happened outside the procession.

Medical assistance

By noon yesterday, the Department of Health said it had provided medical assistance to 344 Nazarene devotees during the Traslacion. The Philippine Red Cross said it had attended to the medical needs of some 536 devotees. — Rhodina Villanueva