Thousands of devotees still flock to Quiapo Church: police

January 9, 2021

Despite the health department's call not to physically attend the mass during the Feast of the Black Nazarene because of the threat of the coronavirus disease, thousands of devotees still flocked to the Quiapo Church on Saturday.

According to the data recorded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) as of 12 noon, a total of 14,220 devotees were monitored in Quiapo and other churches near the area.

These include 13,800 devotees in Quiapo Church, 300 in San Sebastian Church and 120 in Sta. Cruz Church.Brig. Gen Vicente Danao, NCR police director, said people have been violating physical distance.

''People are flocking together. I know we cannot help it but I urged people to watch and pray online,'' said Danao in an interview with dzBB.

Brig. General Leo Francisco, Manila Police director, told dzBB he will ask for more personnel to enforce distancing.

Lt. Col. Carlo Magno Manuel, Manila Police District public information chief,  said around 400,000 devotees were monitored in Quiapo Church and its vicinity since 4 am.

"That is the accumulated numbers of devotees from 4 am...people come and go," he said. Robina Asido/DMS