Line to the Black Nazarene grows to 2.6 kms as rains fail to dampen devotees' spirits

Despite rain, devotees of the Black Nazarene patiently waited their turn for the annual "Pahalik" tradition at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila Sunday.

 

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said the line was about 1.9 km long as of 6:53 p.m., reaching the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard.

 

"As of 6:53pm, Black Nazarene Pahalik line is approximately 1.9 km long. Tailend near US Embassy," MMDA traffic discipline office head Yves Gonzalez tweeted.

 

Later, he said the line was much longer during the afternoon, stretching to 2.6 km long as of 4:58 p.m. 

 

Gonzalez declined to comment on whether they are encouraging or discouraging people from attending Monday's Black Nazarene procession.

 

President Benigno Aquino III on Sunday afternoon urged devotees to stay home, claiming a terrorist threat may be  afoot to disrupt the event as suspected terrorist were reportedly "spotted" in the National Capital Region.

 

Aquino called a news briefing to make his appeal to devotees and added that he has ordered tighter security at Monday's procession.

 

"Can't comment on that," Gonzalez said to queries on whether the MMDA will encourage or discourage devotees from joining the procession.

 

"My job is traffic director and supervisor of the MMDA activities here in the Grandstand. That's my duty and that's what I'm doing," he added. — ELR, GMA News