Manila: Quiapo Church officials confirmed two deaths during the course of the grand procession of the Jesus Nazareno, which has now taken more than 24 hours since it left the Quirino Grandstand at Rizal Park at 4 a.m. on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fr. Ramon Jade Licuanan, rector of the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno, more popularly known as Quiapo Church, asked devotees to pray that there would be no more casualties and for the devotees to return safely to their respective families. In a press conference at the Pope Benedict XVI Building in Quiapo, Manila on Saturday morning, Fr. Licuanan appealed for prayers, emphasizing the hope for the andas (carriage) to return safely to the Quiapo Church and for devotees to reunite with their families unharmed.
The procession, known as Traslacion, temporarily paused at the San Sebastian Church for the traditional 'Dungaw,' where the Jesus Nazareno meets his mother, the Virgin Mary. This stop provided volunteers and devotees a chance to rest. Fr. Licuanan explained that the decision to halt temporarily was made to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved.
As of 8:55 a.m. on Saturday, nearly 29 hours since it commenced, the procession had reached the area near Quezon Bridge, as reported by the Quiapo Church Command Post. Meanwhile, Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano reported that there were 1,700 injuries, with 29 cases being closely monitored. Updates on the casualties will be provided as soon as final details are available.
Fr. Arellano attributed the slow pace of this year's procession to people blocking the path of the andas, causing delays. He also noted that despite appeals, some devotees chose to climb the andas as part of their devotions, further contributing to the slow movement. He assured that the andas was functioning well and denied reports of mechanical issues, explaining that the delays were due to devotees obstructing the path.
Fr. Arellano mentioned that changes would be implemented based on their assessments, acknowledging that each year's experiences provide learning opportunities. The current experiences and evaluations will serve as a reference for future celebrations to enhance safety and efficiency.
