ANTIPOLO CITY – More than 2.5 million individuals from different parts of Metro Manila and nearby provinces are expected to flock to this pilgrimage city starting Thursday for the yearly “Penitential Walk” as part of the Holy Week tradition here.

Men and women, young and old alike, are expected to walk, some in barefoot, from various starting points in Quiapo Church in Manila, Ortigas Avenue, and Marcos Highway in Pasig and Marikina toward the Cathedral of the Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage here.

Penitents, in purple robe similar to the vestment of Quiapo’s Black Nazarene statue, and bearing wooden crosses traditionally join the multitude of pilgrims who troop to this city’s cathedral starting Thursday morning.

The arrival of the pilgrims to this city can be compared to the flow of people who attend the procession during the feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, observers said.

The deluge of pilgrims has prompted the Rizal Police Provincial Office (RPPO), including the Antipolo Police Station, to form the “Task Group Pangilin.”

Senior Superintendent Jonathan Ferdinand Miano, Rizal police director, told Manila Bulletin that hundreds of policemen as well as local government unit personnel and civic action group members will provide security to the millions of people who will troop to this city during Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Antipolo Police chief, Supt. Dioscoro Maata, said huge tarpaulins bearing messages warning people to take care of their valuables, including cellular phones and wallets, as criminals will definitely join the multitude to take advantage of the situation.

Some 143 members of the city’s Barangay Police Auxiliary (BPAX), local traffic personnel known here as POSD (Public Order and Safety Department), and civilian volunteer groups, all numbering about 1,000, will assist the police in maintaining order during the activity.

Eight public assistance centers located on areas leading to the cathedral, will be manned by policemen, Antipolo local government personnel, and volunteer medical personnel of Philippine National Red Cross, Antipolo and Rizal chapters to assist the pilgrims.

Supt. Maata said those who intend to join the Lenten activity should not bring deadly weapons including fan knives, pointed sticks, and liquor to avoid inconvenience as policemen will be conducting spot body frisking at several points in the city.

Thieves, particularly pickpockets, are expected to lurk and “feast” on the situation so pilgrims are advised not to bring any valuables including watches, cellular phones and jewelry.

Motorists should reconsider their plan to bring their vehicles when they go the city on Thursday night until Friday as heavy traffic is expected during the 2-day activity as the main roads, particularly the stretch of Ortigas Avenue from Cainta Junction and Marcos Highway in Marikina and Antipolo will be occupied by the walking pilgrims.

Motorcycle owners should also think twice before they intend to bring their vehicles with them to avoid being victimized by thieves. This came as the police the other day arrested a man who was caught by the cathedral’s security personnel while in the act of trying to steal the motorbike of a churchgoer.

Antipolo City government officials said various religious sites such as the so-called “White Cross” on Pinagmisahan Hill, the site of the first mass held in the city centuries back and the Inday Nely’s Mystical Cave, which showcase images of religious characters in cave formations are also the favorite destinations of pilgrims during the Holy Week.