AFP's JTF-NCR beefs up security for Black Nazarene feast on Jan. 9

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jan 8, 2021): AFP's JTF-NCR beefs up security for Black Nazarene feast on Jan. 9 (By Jimmyley E. Guzman)

PASIG CITY, Jan. 8 (PIA) -- The Joint Task Force National Capital Region (JTF NCR) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is set to deploy hundreds of its troops and beef up the security in key areas celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

"We will deploy hundreds of [our] troops from the different major services of the AFP, namely the Philippine Army, the Philippine Navy, the Marines, the Philippine Air Force, and the special operations forces," JTF-NCR's public affairs chief 1Lt. Arrianne Bichara told the PIA-NCR.

"This is in support to the peace and order efforts of the National Capital Region Police Office of the Philippine National Police, the Manila City Government, other government agencies, and non-government organizations," she added.

Bichara said the deployment is also part of the military's Stability and Security Operations or SASO, in order to "prevent any chaos and secure the people during the novena masses of [the] Feast of Black Nazarene 2021."

The JTF NCR AFP she said, also encourages the public to participate in the peaceful and orderly observance of the 2021's Feast of Black Nazarene and to always observe health protocols against COVID-19.

To recall, during pre-COVID times, Quiapo Church officials led the annual Black Nazarene Traslacion, the biggest religous procession in the Philippines.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, church officials decided to cancel the procession this year to prevent further coronavirus infection and adhere to current health protocols and strict physical distancing.

The Traslacion is an annual commemoration on the turn-over of the miraculous image of the Nazareno from Luneta Chapel, managed by the Recolletos Missionaries, to the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, known canonically as the Parish of Saint John the Baptist, and also known as Quiapo Parish Church (QPC).

For this year's feast, its activities started on Dec. 30, 2020 and will end in the early morning of Jan. 10, 2021.

Also due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the primary activities for the event include the novena masses on Jan. 9, 2021 at the Quiapo Church; San Sebastian Church; Nazarene Catholic School; and Sta Cruz Church respectively. (PIA NCR)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1063318