Photojournalist passes away during Traslacion coverage

A photojournalist passed away on Friday while covering Traslacion in Manila, according to a report on Balitanghali.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said that the photojournalist visited the MPD Station 5 at 3 a.m. in the morning to shoot the events at the Quirino Grandstand

However, the police said the journalist suddenly fell.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security expressed condolences to the family and friends of Itoh Son while covering the Traslacion.

''Kami sa Presidential Task Force on Media Security ay taos-pusong nakikiramay sa pamilya, kaibigan, at mga kasamahan ni Itoh Son, isang photojournalist na pumanaw habang nagsasagawa ng kanyang trabaho sa Traslacion 2026 sa Maynila,'' it said in a separate statement.

(We in the Presidential Task Force on Media Security condole with the family, friends, and colleagues of Itoh Son, who's a photojournalist who died in the middle of covering Traslacion 2026 in Manila.)

The PTFoMS said Son had been suffering from the flu for days, but he still pushed through with covering the Feast Day.

''Ang kanyang dedikasyon sa kanyang propesyon sa kabila ng kanyang karamdaman ay patunay ng kanyang pagmamahal sa kanyang trabaho at sa paghahatid ng mga mahalagang kaganapan sa publiko,'' it said.

(His dedication to his profession, despite being sick, shows his love for his work.) 

Son's death should serve as a warning to members of the media to observe and prioritize their health and welfare so they can continue doing their work, according to the PTFoMS.

Traslacion casualty?

Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Father Robert Arellano clarified that it was not considered a Traslacion-related casualty.

He cited the individual’s pre-existing medical condition and the fact that the incident did not occur within the actual procession.

“We do not consider it a casualty because this event happened not directly during the traslacion. It's an indirect incident,” Arellano said.

“Kaya sana rin sa ating mga kapatid sa media, not to really highlight kasi baka yung ibang mga deboto na nagbabasa ng ating mga newsfeeds, baka mai-associate nila ito sa pagdiriwang ng traslacion kasi ito ay naganp outside the context of the traslacion.” he added.—Joahna Lei Casilao with reports from Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News