CAGAYAN DE ORO - Local authorities here said Tuesday they noted an increase in the number of devotees that joined the 'Traslacion' of the Black Nazarene this year.

The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office pegged the crowd this year at more than 100,000, higher than the 80,000 estimate last year.

PCI Mardy Hortillosa, police spokesman, said the weather today might be one of the reasons for the increase of devotees.

So far, no untoward incidents were reported during the 'Traslacion' which lasted for more than 2 hours from the St. Augustine Cathedral back to the Shrine of the Black Nazarene.

A sea of police surrounded the 'karo' of the Black Nazarene.

No devotee was allowed to go closer to the image except for four hijos who were tasked to catch and wipe handkerchiefs thrown by devotees to the Black Nazarene.

A mass will be held in the Shrine of the Black Nazarene every hour until 8PM today.