PNP apologizes to Black Nazarene devotees who were hurt during procession

January 11, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday apologized to Black Nazarene devotees who were injured by policemen.

In a interview over DZMM, PNP Officer-in-Charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa sympathized with the devotees who were hurt during the procession last Thursday. 

He also indirectly apologized to a TV reporter whose cellphone was confiscated by a high-ranking official when a commotion between authorities and some devotees occured. 

"In behalf of the PNP, if there were people who got injured, stomped with (police) boots, and had their cellphones confiscated, etc., I would like to apologize if we had hurt somebody," said Gamboa.

Gamboa said the police on duty during the procession were just doing their job. He said he hope that civilians and policemen will support each other in the succeeding years to achieve an orderly Traslacion. 

Gamboa also added they expected woes and complaints from devotees following several changes in the procession. 

"We have to balance also the sentiments, most especially the devotees because although our primary concern is security, we have to balance it because some are complaining why it was fast and why some were not able to closely approach (the image of Black Nazarene)," he explained. 

He said a report from acting National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Brigadier General Debold Sinas is expected to be submitted next week.  Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS