ALL Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) were suspended in parts of Metro Manila, while network signals will be turned off as part of security preparations during the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brigadier General Debold Sinas said on Wednesday, January 8.
Sinas said the temporary gunban will be effective in the areas of Quiapo, Sta Cruz and Binondo from 8 a.m. of January 7 to 8 a.m. of January 10, 2020.
He said the measure was implemented to ensure that the Feast of the Black Nazarene will be free from firearm-related incidents and for the safety of the populace as well as the local and foreign tourists who will be joining the annual religious event.
"Only members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms shall be allowed to carry firearms," Sinas said.
"I have absolute faith that this will affect the maintenance of peace and order situation in the concerned areas," he added.
Meantime, telecommunication companies will be shutting down mobile phone services in parts of Pasay, Sanjuan, Mandaluyong, Makati, Malabon, Caloocan and Quezon City, the areas which were near the route of the traslacion.
Sinas however reiterated that they are yet to monitor any imminent threat against the religious event.
Around 16,000 law enforcement personnel will be joining forces for the maintenance of peace and order particularly during the procession of the Black Nazarene on Thursday.
The joint task force is composed of personnel from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Coast Guard, and volunteers.
For this year, the NCRPO has made several adjustment for the Traslacion particularly the formation of “andas wall” which will be composed of policemen in front and the sides of the carriage of the Black Nazarene image to ensure the continuous movement of the procession and to avoid injuries.
The procession will be taking the following routes:
From Quirino Grandstand (Independence Road) turn right to Katigbak Drive straight to P. Burgos (eastbound lane) going to Finance Rd., to Ayala Blvd., left to Palanca to Quezon Blvd., right to Arlegui, right to Fraternal St., turn right to Vergara St., turn left to Duque de Alba, turn left to Castillejos St., turn left to Farnecio St., turn right to Arlegui St., turn left to Nepomuceno St. (counter-flow), turn left to Concepcion Aguila St, thru Carcer St., turn right to Hidalgo thru Plaza del Carmen, turn left to Bilibid Viejo St. thru Puyat, turn left to Guzman St., turn right to Hidalgo St., turn left to Bautista St. (Barbosa), turn right to Globo de Oro thru under Quezon Bridge, turn right to Palanca St., then, turn right to Villalobos St. thru Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church. (SunStar Philippines)