MANILA – The ongoing Traslacion has been well-organized so far despite some devotees insisting on riding the andas or carriage carrying the image of the Jesus Nazareno, the Manila Police District said Thursday.

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MPD District Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay confirmed some devotees still tried to go on top of the andas despite repeated announcements that climbing onto the carriage carrying the Jesus Nazareno is prohibited.

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“Totoo na meron pa ring sumasampa sa andas. Hindi pa rin napigilan ang pagsalubong at pagsampa ng ibang kababayan natin na naging dahilan ng paiba-ibang direksyon ng andas kaya nabalahaw siya at nagtagal dito sa may Independence Road,” he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

“Ang ating mga deboto ay nireremind ng Hijos, nakiki-usap na huwag nang sampahan ang andas at huwag nang salubungin dahil ito talaga ang nagpapabagal,” he added.

Video taken by ABS-CBN News also showed a group of devotees pushing their way past a line of police officers guarding Ayala Bridge.

Nazareno devotees push back cops guarding Ayala Bridge

Ibay said that as of 6:30am, many devotees have flocked to Quiapo Church to wait for the Nazarene image. Security at the church remains tight, with visitors being frisked and x-ray machines being used before entering.

Signal jammers were also requested for the church but the police said they are unsure if signal interruption is already in effect.

Ibay said there have been accusations of theft and pickpocketing but no formal criminal complaints have been filed.

He also reminded feast attendees to avoid bringing valuables and other items that could cause injury to others.

Ambulance vendors were advised to stay clear of the Traslacion routes, as their sticks, if not properly disposed of, may injure barefooted devotees.

“Ang safety at security ay hindi lang po responsibilidad ng kapulisan lamang. Kaya po sa ating mga kababayan, kung sakali po meron tayong mapansin na kahina-hinala na galaw ng mga tao o bagay, lapitan po agad kami kasi nakita niyo naman, naka-deploy kami nang maayos. This is for the safety of everybody,” Ibay told reporters during a chance interview at the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno.

(Safety and security are not only the responsibility of the police. To our fellow citizens, if you notice any suspicious movement or individuals, please approach us immediately. As you can see, we are well-deployed. This is for everyone's safety.)

Ibay said some 14,500 personnel from the National Capital Region, police regional offices in Central Luzon and Calabarzon, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology have been deployed to ensure the security of the Traslacion.