A rosary vendor was arrested outside the Quiapo church in Manila yesterday after authorities allegedly found an improvised gun and bullets inside his bag just days before the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Remate identified the vendor as 42-year-old Peter Coderias, a resident of Old Balara in Quezon City.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that PO1 Niel Payrick Galiza and other policemen were removing obstructions along Quezon Boulevard when they saw an unattended black bag near the Quiapo Church.
The metal detector used by authorities beeped when they used it to scan the bag, which prompted them to find its owner, the report added.
Coderias claimed the bag was his and police allegedly opened it right in front of him, Inquirer added. Authorities reportedly found an improvised gun and two 12-gauge shotgun cartridges inside.
The suspect will face charges for violating Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearm and ammunition, Radyo Inquirer stated.
Manila City administrator Erikson Alcovendaz said that the removal of obstructions surrounding the church started on Saturday at Plaza Miranda on Quezon Boulevard, Manila Bulletin reported.
Starting today, vendors will not be allowed to sell items near the Quiapo church and along the procession’s route to ensure the safety of both the devotees and vendors, Rappler stated.
The Nazarene’s procession, which will happen on Wednesday (Jan. 9) is called the Traslación. It serves as a celebration of the religious icon’s arrival in the church of Quiapo on Jan. 9, 1787 after it was kept in different Manila churches.
During Traslación, a replica of the Nazarene will be placed on top of a carriage called a carroza which will be pulled across an almost six-kilometer route by barefoot devotees dressed in maroon shirts, the same shade of the icon’s robes.
It’s a grand and often rowdy event as devotees, who believe the statue grants miracles, scramble to touch the Nazarene. The chaos often results in injury and even death — in 2015, two devotees died during the event.
7,000 policemen will also be deployed in the area which is expected to draw at least 5 million people, according to the Philippine Star.
The Philippine National Police also told the public not to bring colored canisters, water bottles, and sharp objects. Pregnant women and children are discouraged from participating.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada signed an executive order that will suspend classes in all levels in both public and private schools all over the city during the feast day. Work in all national and local government offices in the city will also be suspended.
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