Quiapo church official saddened by unruly behavior of some devotees during ‘Traslacion’

January 12, 2020

A church official on Sunday lamented the unruly behavior of some devotees of the Black Nazarene during the 2020 Traslacion in Manila, resulting in the injury of some other attendees.

In a radio interview, Quiapo Church Parochial Vicar Fr. Douglas Badong said he was saddened for the action of some devotees during the annual Feast of the Black Nazarene last January 9 after they forgot to act appropriately.

“It is saddening that some people claimed to be devotees of the Black Nazarene but they forgot (how to be devotees) based on their actions. This is not the act and manner of a true devotee,” Badong said.

After some of those who joined in the Traslacion complained of this year’s route, they tried to penetrate on the security wall created by the police causing both parties to get injured.

Because of this, Badong reminded the devotees to be mindful of others' safety while keeping their traditional activities like climbing at the Andas (carriage) and pulling the rope.

“According to some devotees, this is the tradition but the real tradition is carrying the Black Nazarene but as time passes, they (devotees) became wild that’s why it was placed in a carriage,” the priest said.

“Climbing the andas became the tradition but we should also think of others,” he added.

The change in this year’s preparation came from the suggestion of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) after the priests and organizers asked for a more orderly and solemn Traslacion.

However, shortened route and thousands of police presence did not sit well to the devotees causing some commotion during the procession.

The Philippine National Police already apologized to the devotees who were unintentionally hurt by some police officers during the annual celebration.

But despite the injuries and complaints, the procession ended in 16 hours, fastest since 2013, with no fatalities recorded. According to Philippine Red Cross, 745 individuals were hurt during the Traslacion. Ella Dionisio/DMS