MANILA - The chief of Metro Manila police on Monday directed two major telecommunications firms to turn off mobile phone services in selected areas during the annual procession or Traslacion of the Black Nazarene.

In a memo to Globe Telecom and Smart Communications Inc., Police Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said the companies should shut down services starting at 11 p.m. on January 8 until 12 noon on January 10 in selected areas.

Both firms have yet to respond.

The ceremonial return of the image of the Black Nazarene to the Quiapo Church every January 9 sees millions of devotees either scrambling to get close to the carriage or enduring about 20 hours of walk behind it.