(UPDATE) THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would deploy 15,000 personnel to secure the annual Traslacion of the image of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo on Friday, Jan. 9. The yearly event, which attracts millions of devotees, reenacts the Traslacion or transfer of the image of the Black Nazarene from its original home in Intramuros to its current home in Quiapo Church in 1787. The Feast of the Black Nazarene (or the Feast of Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) being celebrated is different from the Feast of Quiapo, which refers to the parochial feast day of the Minor Basilica of Saint John the Baptist (the official name of Quiapo Church), which is celebrated on June 24. In a press briefing at Camp Crame, Manila Police District spokesman Maj. Philip Ines said deployment will be concentrated in three areas: Quirino Grandstand, the procession route, and Quiapo, as over 8 million devotees are expected to join the event based on last year’s data. The policemen, he added, would be supported by personnel from other government agencies and force multipliers. With City Ordinance No. 55 in effect, a gun ban will be imposed across the entire city of Manila and a liquor ban within the vicinity of Quirino Grandstand, as well as the procession route, including Quiapo. Cellphone signal jammers will be activated in places where the procession will pass. Firecrackers and pyrotechnics are also prohibited during the procession, Ines said, noting violators will be arrested. Road closures and rerouting of north and southbound vehicles will be in effect from Jan. 8 until Jan. 9 onwards, or until the procession finishes. With full alert status up, Ines said the police identified no serious threats. Manila announced earlier that classes at all levels and work in city government offices will be suspended on Friday. Devotees of the Black Nazarene believe its carriage has miraculous powers, but Ines reminded devotees not to climb it during the procession for safety reasons. “Real devotees listen to the advice of the church and police,” he said. On Thursday, around 5,000 devotees waited for hours in line for the traditional “Pahalik,” or veneration of the image of the Black Nazarene by kissing it at the Quirino Grandstand. Alex Irasga, technical adviser of the Quiapo Church, said the number is expected to rise and may be comparable to attendance in previous years. The Pahalik began on Wednesday evening, following the mass for volunteers. The activity will run until Jan. 9, ahead of the Traslacion. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on Thursday that the Pasig River Ferry Service will operate on a limited route in compliance with the “no sail zone” measure for the Traslacion. It said ferry operations on Friday, Jan. 9, will be limited between Guadalupe and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and between PUP and Kalawaan, in both directions. Despite the limited operations, the MMDA said ferry rides will be free on Friday. It urged the devotees to help keep the celebration clean and safe by bringing their trash home if no garbage bins are available, refraining from smoking or vaping, as well as spitting and urinating in public areas.