THE attendance in the January 9 ‘Traslacion’ marking the Feast of the Black Nazarene has reached a record-breaking eight million.
This was learned from Manila Police District Director PBGen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, who said that the procession ended at 1:26 a.m., when the revered image of the Black Nazarene was finally brought back to the Minor Basilica or Quiapo Church.
The procession which kicked off at the Quirino Grandstand at 4:41 a.m. lasted for 20 hours and 45 minutes.
Ibay said that apart from isolated minor incidents, the said procession was generally peaceful and orderly.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Secretary of Interior and Local Government (SILG), Sec Jonvic C Remulla, Jr.; the City Mayor of Manila, Honorable Honey Lacuna-Pangan; our Chief PNP, PGen. Rommel Marbil; our Acting Regional Director, NCRPO, PMGen. Anthony Aberin and Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula for entrusting us with this religious national event,” said Ibay.
The MPD chief also commended the more than 12,000 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), particularly the Manila policemen, for effectively providing security to the millions of devotees who participated in the Traslacion.
“I would like to commend our police officers on the ground who extended their relentless service in ensuring the safety and security of this year’s feast. My thanks also goes to the religious members of the Catholic Church, other government agencies and force multipliers for their cooperation in making the celebration of Nazareno 2025 safe and peaceful,” Ibay said.
