THE National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will field at least 7,200 police officers to provide security and ensure peace and order during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

Police Director Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, said 2,200 policemen will be coming from the Manila Police District while the rest will be from the other police districts in Metro Manila.

He said the police forces will be augmented and assisted by the personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local peacekeeping teams.

“The 7,200 personnel will be deployed during sa mismong Traslacion natin, dito sa Quirino (Grandstand) area, and then sa Quiapo area, and the 6.1-kilometer route ng ating procession,” he said.

“The route will be divided into 10 segments. Each segment may kumpletong organizational structure, manned by segment commander with all the components, assistants coming from the other agencies ng local government unit as well as national government,” he added.

Eleazar said they have not monitored any threat against the said event, which draws thousands of devotees yearly. He assured that intelligence gathering is continuous to ensure public safety.

Eleazar asked for the cooperation of the public.

“Umaasa tayo sa vigilance ng ating kababayan kasi dapat mag-create tayo ng malaking intelligence network pero sabi nga ni Chief PNP General (Oscar) Albayalde kelangan magtulungan ang bawat isa. ‘Yun ang sinasabi natin na kapag may kahina-hinalang bagay, ipagbigay alam sa otoridad,” he said.

He also reminded the devotees who will be attending the event of the things “that they are constantly being reminded of” such as to avoid bringing children, expensive items such as gadgets and accessories and large amount of cash as well as to be aware and alert of their surrounding and to avoid doing things that may cause harm to other people.

In the past years, several devotees who took part in the annual Traslacion were wounded by barbeque sticks carelessly thrown along the procession route.

Earlier, Albayalde said parts of Metro Manila will be a no-fly and no-sail zone as part of security measures.

Telecommunication companies will also be asked to temporarily shut down cellular signals during the said event.

The Metro Manila local government has already cancelled classes in all levels in both public and private schools on January 9 to pave the way for the said event. (SunStar Philippines)