PNP: No serious threats to disrupt Traslacion 2024

Two days before the return of the traditional Traslacion, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday it had not monitored any threats that could disrupt the procession.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said that uniformed personnel, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), would not lower their guards during the event in which 2.3 million people were expected to participate.

“Wala pa naman tayong nakukuha o nare-receive na impormasyon na maituturing na seryosong banta para ma-disrupt itong Traslacion. Pero we are not lowering our guards. Sabi ng ating chief PNP, we are hoping and praying for the best, but we are also prepared to address at kaharapin ang ilang mga banta na maaari nating ma-receive,” she said.

(We have not received any information that could be considered a serious threat to disrupt the Traslacion. But we are not lowering our guards. As the Chief PNP said, we are hoping and praying for the best, but we are also prepared to address and face the threats we may receive.)

Fajardo said that the police have so far only apprehended a 42-year-old man for making a bomb joke inside the Quiapo Church on Friday morning amid the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

“Nakakulong pa ito at haharapin niya itong kaso na isinampa na natin sa Manila City Prosecutor's Office,” she added.

(He’s still in jail and he will face the case we filed with the Manila City Prosecutor's Office.)

The suspect allegedly violated Presidential Decree No. 1727 or the malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives, or any similar device or means of destruction.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Sunday that 15,276 personnel would be deployed on January 9 and 10, during the height of the event. Other units would augment the deployment of security forces.

There would also be a "No Fly Zone and No Drone Zone” within the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand and Quiapo Church, as well as the procession route starting January 7-10.

Fajardo said only the PNP and other security forces would be allowed to use drones during this period as part of security measures.

“[Ito’y] para magkaron tayo ng mata sa itaas. Titingin tayo. Malaki ang reach ng ating drone at sisisguraduhin natin na habang nagpu-prusisyon ay lilipad din ang ating mga drones,” she continued.

(We use drones so we can have a view from above. Our drones have a wide reach, and we will ensure that we will fly them while the procession is ongoing.)

Meanwhile, waters of the South Harbor and Pasig River near the Traslacion would be a “No Sail Zone” from January 6-10.

Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) in Manila City would also be suspended from January 8-10, with a gun ban imposed in the entire city. — DVM, GMA Integrated News