In a show of faith and devotion, thousands of worshippers gathered for the First Friday Mass at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila on January 3, 2025. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced their commitment to assist the Philippine National Police in ensuring the safety of the upcoming Feast of Jesus Nazareno, scheduled for January 9, which traditionally draws millions of attendees.
Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the chief of the AFP’s public affairs office, stated that the military would deploy units to support the security efforts during the procession of the Feast of the Black Nazarene. He emphasized that the AFP’s Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) is collaborating closely with other law enforcement agencies to safeguard the annual ‘Traslacion,’ the grand procession of the black Jesus Christ through Quiapo District.
Trinidad assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the event’s security. He mentioned ongoing meetings and coordination with various authorities and stakeholders, which means specific details about troop numbers and deployments cannot be disclosed at this time.
The National Capital Region Office has already planned to deploy 12,168 officers for the event, with an additional 2,306 personnel from other units serving as reinforcements.