Hijos del Nazareno members assist the devotees during the traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Cagayan de Oro on Wednesday, Jan. 9. (Jigger J. Jerusalem/davaotoday.com)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — The city police will now adopt a measure that will ensure proper management in case of a terrorist attack and other crisis situation during the annual “traslacion” or the procession of the Black Nazarene here.
Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO) spokesperson Supt. Mardi Hortillosa said that starting authorities will practice the putting up of evacuation centers along the “traslacion” route.
Hortillosa it’s important to properly manage people in the event of a disaster, such as stampede or a terrorist attack.
“We are dividing the area into sectors, where the evacuation area is located. This is also where responders and quick response teams are on standby in case they are needed,” he said.
Hortillosa said an evacuation center is essential so responders will know where to bring people, and to give them medical attention if needed.
“Our medics will be there in case people will be brought to the hospital,” he added.
Supt. Robert delos Reyes, chief of the COCPO operations and plans branch, said they have identified four spots being utilized as evacuation centers.
The sites, delos Reyes said, are within the route of the procession and are located on wide spaces, namely, the Plaza Divisoria, City Central School, Vicente de Lara Park, and beside the Nazarene Church.
Fr. Julius Clavero, the Nazareno parish priest, said the parish has actually three Black Nazarene statues, one of which was the replica donated by the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene church in Quiapo, Manila City.
One of the statues, he said, is being lent to other parishes who wish to use the Black Nazarene for their own traslacion.
Meanwhile, about 250,000 people joined the traslacion here, Hortillosa said, adding that COCPO has also deployed more than 2,000 police officers and soldiers in addition to the force multipliers such as village watchmen and other volunteers.
He said the holding of the traslacion in the city was generally peaceful. Only two devotees suffered from hyperventilation.(davaotoday.com)
