Jamaine Punzalan

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel clear roadways and fill potholes after church authorities release their route guides in preparation for the feast of the Poong Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila on January 6, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

2026 TRASLACION

Karen De Guzman

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176785227617520260106-traslacion-preparation-quiapo-JC7305.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel clear roadways and fill potholes after church authorities release their route guides in preparation for the feast of the Poong Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila on January 6, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — Authorities on Thursday reminded devotees attending the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno to practice their faith with discipline and restraint, stressing devotion over fanaticism, a day before millions are expected to join the annual Traslacion.In a press briefing, Manila Police District (MPD) spokesperson PMaj. Phillip Ines said public safety remains the top priority as a massive crowd is anticipated for the religious event.“‘Yung totoong deboto ay marunong sumunod sa tagubilin ng simbahan. Hindi natin kailangang magmarka ng takot dito sa mga debotong ito, kundi patuloy tayo nakikiusap at pinapaalala sa kanila na sila ay deboto at hindi panatiko,” Ines said.(The true devotee knows how to follow the instructions of the Church. We are not here to instill fear among devotees; instead, we continue to appeal and remind them that they are devotees, not fanatics.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/7/thousands-of-faithful-witness-traditional-pabihis-of-jesus-nazareno-2221">Thousands of faithful witness traditional ‘Pabihis’ of Jesus Nazareno; church, LGU issue reminders ahead of Traslacion</a></div>The reminder comes after tensions erupted during last year’s Traslacion along Ayala Bridge in Manila, where some devotees pushed past police officers securing the area.Ines said authorities have learned from the incident and have put additional security measures in place to prevent a repeat.“Lahat ng scenario naisip na natin ‘yan. At magkakaroon talaga ng pagsasara doon. Gagamitin natin ‘yung kalsadang ‘yun para sa emergency lane kung sakaling kakailanganin, meron tayong kalsadang magagamit. At meron din tayong ilalagay dyan na container van para ‘yung lugar na ‘yun ay mapigil natin katulad ng nababanggit niyo,” he said.(All possible scenarios have already been considered. There will be closures in that area, and the road will be used as an emergency lane if needed. We will also place container vans to control the area and to prevent the same incident.)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/6/malaca-ang-suspends-work-in-manila-on-january-9-for-traslacion-2026-1807">Malacañang suspends work in Manila on January 9 for Traslacion 2026</a></div>Police assured the public that there are no serious threats monitored ahead of the feast.He added that temporary signal interruptions will be implemented as the andas or carriage of the image passes through certain segments of the route as part of heightened security measures.“Ito ay ginagawa natin para sa mga security measures na nilalatag natin, wala tayong puwang na magkamali sa paglalatag natin ng seguridad,” Ines said. (This is part of our security preparations. There is no room for error in ensuring safety.) In a separate statement, acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PLtGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP was fully prepared for this year’s Traslacion in Manila.Nartatez said a comprehensive security and crowd management plan was in place, starting with the Pahalik rites for Nazareno 2026, which began Wednesday evening at the Quirino Grandstand as devotees arrived in large numbers.“The security measures are complete and will be adjusted real-time while coordination with other government agencies are continuously being done, including crowd management plans for the Pahalik,” Nartatez said.He added that enough police personnel have been deployed in Quiapo and at the Quirino Grandstand to ensure public safety while allowing devotees to freely express their faith.Plainclothes operatives and intelligence units have also been positioned to prevent pickpocketing, theft, scams, and other crimes. Police assistance desks were set up, with personnel assigned to help senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and children.Nartatez also appealed to devotees to cooperate with authorities to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration.“Ang direktiba ko sa ating mga pulis ay maximum tolerance, professionalism, at respeto sa relihiyosong aktibidad. May malinaw tayong crowd control measures, designated entry and exit points, at close coordination with the Quiapo Church, LGU, MMDA, BFP, at medical teams,” Nartatez said. (My directive to our police is maximum tolerance, professionalism, and respect for religious activities. We have clear crowd control measures, designated entry and exit points, and close coordination with the Quiapo Church, local government units, MMDA, BFP, and medical teams.) Several roads, including Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, and South Drive, were closed, with limited access allowed for nearby hotels. More road closures are set to take effect at 9 p.m. Thursday in preparation for the Traslacion on Friday.Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard said it was deploying almost 500 personnel, as well as patrol boats, to assist the police and the local government to ensure the successful conduct of Traslacio. “Ito po ay composed ng ating mga medical responders kasama rin po ‘yung ating coast guard K9 unit team, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit), at ang ating deployable response group,” PCG Spokesperson Captain Noemie Cayabyab said in a phone interview with state-run media PTV. “Tayo rin po ay naglagay ng ating mga patrol boats and floating assets particularly po sa vicinity waters ng Quirino Grandstand at Pasig River upang masiguro po ang seguridad at kaligtasan po ng ating mga deboto na dadalo po sa naturang aktibidad po,” she added. The PCG official reminded devotees to remain alert and report to authorities any suspicious activity.“Makipagtulungan po tayo sa lahat po ng direktiba ng ating lokal otoridad upang mataguyod natin ang kaligtasan at seguridad po ng lahat ngayong Traslacion 2026 po,” she said.   <div> </div><div><iframe width="729" height="410" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tGG99wPxvoA" title="What to expect in Nazareno 2026 | DZMM Teleradyo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

Authorities on Thursday reminded devotees attending the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno to practice their faith with discipline and restraint, stressing devotion over fanaticism, a day before millions are expected to join the annual Traslacion.

Authorities on Thursday reminded devotees attending the Feast of the Jesus Nazareno to practice their faith with discipline and restraint, stressing devotion over fanaticism, a day before millions are expected to join the annual Traslacion.

Police urge devotion, not ‘fanaticism’, ahead of Nazareno feast

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Police urge devotion, not ‘fanaticism’, ahead of Nazareno feast

Karen De Guzman,

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 08, 2026 02:09 PM PHT

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Updated January 08, 2026 03:14 PM PHT

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PNP

Traslacion

Jesus Nazareno

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