Security tightened at Quiapo Church for Nazareno 2025

Security measures have been tightened at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, or Quiapo Church, as devotees attend the hourly masses during the 10-day Feast of Jesus Nazareno, which will culminate on Thursday, January 9.

Around 14,000 uniformed personnel from various law enforcement agencies will provide security during the annual Catholic feast. Among those who will be deployed at the Quiapo Church are cops from the Philippine National Police Region 3 who arrived on Wednesday.

“Overall, mayroon almost 14,000 na personnel ang ide-deploy [...] Wala pa naman tayong namo-monitor na any threat kahit sa grandstand,” said Police Lieutenant Leandro Gutierrez MPD Station 3 Commander in Dano Tingcungco’s report in Wednesday’s Saksi.

(Overall, there are almost 14,000 personnel deployed [...] We have yet to monitor any threat even at the grandstand.)

The public can only proceed to the Quiapo Church via Villalobos Street near Plaza Miranda wherein an x-ray scanner by the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) is in place.

“Last year siya nag-start, nakipag-coordinate ang Quiapo Church. Nag-request po sa office namin ng assistance to conduct security screening checkpoint sa Quiapo Church,” said Marylie Dioso, Regional Cluster Head-NCR, OTS.

(This was actually implemented last year after the Quiapo Church coordinated with us. They requested our office for assistance to conduct security screening at the checkpoint.)

Authorities earlier reminded devotees to avoid bringing large bags, suggesting instead transparent bags.

Big amounts of money and wearing of jewelry are not encouraged. Caps and hats are not allowed as well.

“Pero may mga nagdadala pa rin, siguro ayan yung mga kababayan natin galing probinsiya, na gustong mag-simba at may mga dalang gamit,  hindi nila maiwan kaya nadadala pa rin dito,” said Gutierrez.

(Some are still bringing big bags with them and I think most of these people are from the provinces. Maybe they cannot afford to leave their belongings somewhere just to attend the mass.)

Authorities have confiscated lighters and sharp objects from some devotees.

Further, authorities encouraged parents to leave their children at home.

“Siguraduhing malakas ang katawan [...] Kung maari, iwan niyo na lang ang mga anak niyo sa bahay para hindi magkaroon ng tsansa ng pagkawala,” said Gutierrez.

(Please make sure that you are feeling well [...] As much as possible, just leave your children at home so they will not get lost  in the crowd.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News