Fastest Traslacion in recent memory ends after 16 hours

Traslacion 2020 ended after 16 hours at 8:45 p.m. on Thursday, making it the fastest procession of the image of the Black Nazarene in recent memory.

The Traslacion in the past five years took at least 20 hours to finish.

In 2013, the fastest Traslacion was completed in 18 hours.

This comes after several changes were implemented by the National Capital Region Police Office and the Manila City government to the route and rules of the annual procession.

Police officials recommended to impose a ban on people from climbing up the carriage during the procession.

As of 11 a.m. on Thursday, the Manila Police District estimated that around 220,000 devotees took part in the Traslacion.

At noontime, the number of devotees dwindled to around 130,000.

At 4 p.m., some 27,000 people were recorded to have participated in the Pahalik or veneration of the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene.

Due to the large number of participants, some devotees fainted or experienced high blood pressure during the procession.

The Dungaw, or the meeting of the images of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Jesus during the procession, took place earlier than usual at 4:33 p.m.

Devotees earlier decried the changes made to the Traslacion this year and the alleged maltreatment by policemen.

Despite the complaints by devotees on the crowd control measures imposed, Malacañang defended the new policies implemented by the Philippine National Police.

“It may be strict, but the goal is to protect them from any harm,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said. — BAP, GMA News