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.
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.
“I would like to ask and appeal to everyone, please say a prayer that the number of casualties would no longer increase, and the ‘andas’ (carriage) to return to the (Quiapo) Church, and most especially, for our fellow devotees to return safe to their families and homes,” he said in a press conference at the Pope Benedict XVI Bldg. in Quiapo, Manila on Saturday morning.
He said the Traslacion temporarily stopped at the San Sebastian Church for the Jesus Nazareno to meet his mother, the Virgin Mary, for the traditional “Dungaw.”
The stop enabled the volunteers and devotees to rest.
“We came up (with) the best option we’re seeing at that time and that was to stay for a while at the San Sebastian parish for our volunteers to take some rest, who are trying their best to keep the Traslacion safe for everyone,” he said.
As of 8:55 a.m. Saturday, or nearly 29 hours since it began, the procession was at the vicinity of Quezon Bridge, according to the Quiapo Church Command Post.
Meanwhile, Nazareno 2026 spokesperson Fr. Robert Arellano reported 1,700 injuries, with 29 cases being closely monitored.
“We will give updates regarding the casualties, as soon as we have the final details,” he said.
Asked what could be the reason for the slow pace of this year’s procession, Arellano said so people blocked the way of the andas, causing it to slow down.
“Another factor is when devotees climb the andas. Despite our appeal (not to climb the andas), people still choose to do it as part of their devotions,” he added, noting that exhaustion may also be part of the slow movement of the carriage.
He assured that the andas is functioning well, contradicting reports that there were problems, particularly its wheels.
“Our andas is currently functional. The reason for it to run aground is due to devotees blocking it,” he explained.
He noted that changes will be conducted and it will be part of their assessment.
“We will have an immediate evaluation. Like what we always say, every year is a new experience. Every year, we learn from it. Our current experiences are being recorded, and these will be our basis for future celebrations,” the Quiapo Church official added. (PNA)