PNP observes maximum tolerance for Traslacion 2026

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said its personnel will observe maximum tolerance for the devotees in traslacion during the Feast of Jesus Nazareno in Manila. 

“Ang direktiba ko sa ating mga pulis ay maximum tolerance, professionalism, at respeto sa relihiyosong aktibidad,” PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

(My directive to our police is maximum tolerance, professionalism, and respect for religious activities.)

“May malinaw tayong crowd control measures, designated entry and exit points, at close coordination with the Quiapo Church, LGU, MMDA, BFP, at medical teams,” he added.

(We have clear crowd control measures, designated entry and exit points, and close coordination with the Quiapo Church, LGU, MMDA, BFP, and medical teams.)

Traslacion, which will be held on Friday, is the procession of the image of Jesus Christ from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church.

This commemorates the arrival of the image of Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno (Our Lord Jesus the Nazarene) from Acapulco, Mexico to the Philippines in 1600's and the transfer from Bagumbayan (old Intramuros) to Quiapo Church - St. John Baptist Parish in 1767.

Last year, the procession lasted 20 hours and 45 minutes and was attended by an estimated 8.1 million devotees, according to the PNP.

The PNP began implementing its comprehensive security and crowd control plan for the occasion Wednesday evening during the start of the pahalik or the kissing of the image at the Quirino Grandstand.

Police personnel were deployed in key areas in Quiapo Church and Quirino Grandstand.

“We in the PNP are ready for the Traslacion. The security measures are complete and will be adjusted real-time while coordination with other government agencies are continuously being done, including crowd management plans for the pahalik,” Nartatez said.

“We have deployed a sufficient number of police personnel at the Quirino Grandstand and even in Quiapo to ensure public safety while allowing devotees to properly express their faith,” he added.

Around 18,000 personnel will be deployed to secure the traslacion, with security measures in place such as gun and liquor bans as well as prohibition on firecrackers.

Plainclothes officers and intelligence units have also been deployed to deter pickpocketing, theft, scams, and other crimes, the PNP said.

Police assistance desks were also set up with personnel assigned to assist senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and children, according to the PNP.

Several roads including Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, and South Drive were closed to traffic but with limited access allowed for nearby hotels. 

Additional road closures are set to take effect at 9 p.m. on Thursday ahead of Traslacion. —VAL, GMA Integrated News