Guevarra: Cardinal asked for cops at Quiapo Church on Black Nazarene feast day

Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula has asked for the deployment of police officers at Quiapo Church on January 9, the Feast of the Black Nazarene to help implement crowd control as devotees are expected to arrive in droves.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra delivered Advincula's message to President Rodrigo Duterte during the Talk to the People on Thursday.

"Archbishop wanted to deliver this message to you, he is very pleased and happy that you have kept the lines of communication between government and Catholic Church open to cooperate on these matters pertaining to public health with the government. He just requested, Mr. President, it might be necessary for us to beef up the law enforcement units more particularly on January 9 the day of the Feast of Black Nazarene," he said.

"Because the Archbishop said that he may not be able to contain or control the huge number of devotees who might insist to come as close as possible to Quiapo church," Guevarra added.

Earlier, Advincula appealed for devotees' understanding and cooperation over the cancellation of this year’s traditional Traslacion and in-person celebration of Masses at Quiapo church with the increase in COVID-19 cases.

In reaction, Duterte told devotees that God will understand even if the Black Nazarene procession has been cancelled.

"Everybody is put on notice that the Roman Catholic Church has agreed to our suggestion to forgo our celebration. Walang procession sa Black Nazarene. God is always there, he is everywhere," said Duterte.

"Kung magcongregate kayo ,madagdagan niyo ang problema... So spare us mga kasama ko, Black Nazarene procession will not take place, God will udnerstand he knows the problem. Magdasal na lang tayo," he added.

The Traslacion has been canceled twice in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic. -- BAP, GMA News