Manila policemen are now gearing up for the 403rd celebration of the feast of the Black Nazarene on January 9, planning to deploy some 500 policemen and to flaunt anew their high technological gadgets during the occasion.

Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay, director of Manila Police District (MPD), yesterday said at least 500 Manila policemen is set to be deployed in key areas where the image of the Black Nazarene will pass to ensure the safety of the maroon-clothed "Hijos del Señor Nazareno" (Sons of the Lord Nazarene) devotees.

"We want to secure the devotees this time that is why we will deploy a large number of policemen and to minimize injuries this year," Magtibay told the Manila Bulletin.

Apart from the 500 Manila policemen, Magtibay said that they will also ask National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales to augment the some 200 police personnel during the celebration as they expect over 2.5 million devotees to participate in the annual religious event.

"We rather augment deployment of personnel this year because we expect more devotees who will be participating. From 2.5 million last year we are expecting more this year," he said.

Ninety-six devotees who joined last year’s procession of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo were injured, including a six-month-old pregnant woman.

Aside from the police force, the MPD chief also noted that they will be again installing a Global Positioning System (GPS) on the carriage of the Black Nazarene. GPS is a high-tech system that will keep track on the position of the life-size image during the festival.

He added that they will monitor the traffic situation in the areas where the image of the Black Nazerene would pass through the district's closed circuit televisions (CCTV). There will be monitoring teams to be deployed to supervise when to close certain roads.

"We will not close the roads the procession will pass, especially the main thoroughfares. We will divert trucking and make sure the flow of vehicles will still be orderly," said the police official.

Meanwhile, Quiapo Church officials on Friday decided to bring back the traditional route of the Black Nazarene during its annual feast on Jan. 9 after the new path of the image that has been implemented last year has stirred confusion among thousands of devotees and caused it to be remembered as the longest procession in the history of the Quiapo
Church.

Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3 commander, Police Supt. Ernesto Tendero Jr. told the Manila Bulletin that the officials of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene has decided to use the old and traditional route after it took the supposed miraculous image of Jesus more than 10-hours before it reached the Quiapo Church last year.

"This year ibabalik nila yung traditional route ng Black Nazarene. Medyo kasi nanibago yung mga tao sa bagong ruta ng Nazareno kaya inabot ang prusisyon ng siyam-siyam," he said.

Last year, the Black Nazarene started at the Quirino Grandstand Grandstand. Tendero said this year’s procession will commence from Quirino Grandstand at 8:30 am and will pass through its traditional path.