600 Manila cops to secure Tondo 'Lakbayaw' fiesta Jan. 14-15

Published January 13, 2012 8:39am

(Update 8:59 a.m.) - At least 600 police personnel will be deployed to Manila's Tondo district this weekend to secure the "Lakbayaw" festival in honor of the Santo Niño (Christ Child).

The Manila city government will also deploy medical teams to the area, according to a report by radio dzBB's Carlo Mateo.

Residents in the Tondo area mark the feast of the Christ Child on the third Sunday of January. This year, they will hold celebrations starting Saturday.

But the report said the city government has also deployed Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) teams to keep watch over the festivities.

City officials also reminded residents not to engage in drinking sprees lest these lead to violent incidents.

Past fiestas in Tondo had been marred with violence involving drunk residents. Several of the incidents turned out to be fatal.

Archbishop Tagle to officiate Mass

Meanwhile, the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish in Tondo announced that Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle will officiate the Mass to be held on Jan. 15, the feast day itself.

The Mass will be held at the Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish in Tondo, Manila at 6 a.m.

Right after the Mass, a grand procession dubbed as the Lakbayaw Festival will be held, said Fr. Bobby dela Cruz, Sto. Niño de Tondo assistant parish priest.

Residents and visitors will dance on the streets of Tondo during the procession while holding the image of the child Jesus. “Sto. Niño is popular to Filipinos because He is close to the poor, innocent, and approachable just like an ordinary child,” dela Cruz told Radyo Veritas 846 on Wednesday.

Fr. Dela Cruz added that instead of the five processions usually held, there will only be two this year, one on Saturday, and the other on Sunday.

Dela Cruz said they are coordinating with authorities to secure the safety of attendees.

“We started preparing as early as August that’s why we are convinced that no major problems will take place during the Feast day,” dela Cruz said. –KG, GMA News

Tags: manilapolicedistrict, tondo, lakbayaw