Nazarene organizers fail to meet 'early' deadline

MANILA, Philippines - Despite months of planning, this year's Feast of the Black Nazarene failed to meet its 3 p.m. deadline even as police admitted the image of the Black Nazarene will reach the Quiapo Church by nightfall. Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said the pace of the procession, which started on a scrambling note, was too slow. "Diyan nakakatiyak tayo gagabihin tayo (I am sure the image will not reach the Quiapo Church before nightfall)," Rosales said in an interview on dzBB radio. On the other hand, radio reports said at least 96 injuries had been recorded as of 4 p.m. Philippine General Hospital (PGH) spokesman Michael Tee told dzBB radio at least three of the injured devotees were brought to the PGH for treatment. Tee said one of them fainted, one suffered a fracture, and one suffered a dislocated shoulder. Radio reports said that a female devotee caught another thief taking her cell phone in Manila's Quiapo district Friday afternoon. The report said other devotees ganged up on the suspect initially identified as Dennis, who was crying when he was brought to the Barbosa police community precinct. - GMANews.TV