Malacañang on Sunday called on devotees of the Black Nazarene to maintain peace and order during the Feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9.

In an interview aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan (dzRB), Palace deputy spokesman Abigail Valte advised devotees to take necessary precautions and refrain from bringing along with them their children and valuables to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

“It is expected that the crowd will be bigger than last year’s. Huwag po tayong magsama ng bata para maiwasan po nating masaktan ‘yung mga bata sa dami ng tao or mawala [Don’t bring children to prevent them from being hurt by the crowd or lost],” she said.

Moreover, Valte said that the Philippine National Police will implement strict security measures for this year’s Feast of the Black Nazarene to make the celebration orderly and safe.

“Handa naman po ang ating Philippine National Police [The Philippine National Police is ready] to provide the safety and the assistance to the devotees who will be flocking [to Quiapo] to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” she said.

Valte said that the Metro Manila police chief has been meeting with church officials and with some government officials as to prepare for the procession.

“Our officials from the PNP led by our NCRPO [National Capital Region Police Office] chief [Leonardo] Espina has been in close coordination with the local government unit as well as the church officials in Quiapo to make sure that this year’s procession and celebration will be solemn and safe,” she added.

For so many years, thousands of devotees flock to the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila. Oftentimes, many were injured and some died from the stampede during the procession.

Last year’s feast was recorded as the “longest procession” as it took over 22 hours. The police also claimed receiving reports of a possible terrorist attack, prompting them to jam mobile phone communications in the area.

The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of Quiapo. The life size image of the Black Nazarene shows a “black” Jesus Christ carrying a cross.

The statue has been housed at the Saint John de Baptist Church in Quiapo, Manila also known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene since 1787. The image of the Black Nazarene is brought out in procession on its feast day and on Good Friday.

A Spanish priest brought the statue to Manila in 1607. It was aboard a ship that caught fire. As a result, the image was burned and it came to be known as the “Black Nazarene,” which the people has since pledged to preserve and honor.