Traslacion to proceed despite reports on Maute presence

DILG chief: We will try our best to keep our people safe

MANILA -- Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno yesterday said there is a “strong possibility” that terrorist group Maute is in Metro Manila.

The group, which is sympathetic to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), was allegedly behind the bombing incidents in Davao City last September and in Hilongos, Leyte last December.

“May mga intelligence reports na [nandito ang Maute group sa Manila] kasi mga terrorist groups ito, parang ito funded din from outside. Talagang there is this strong possibility na nandito na rin sila (There are intelligence reports that the Maute group is here. There is really a strong possibility that they are here),” Sueno said.

He assured that security measures were in place for the “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene on Monday, January 9. The annual procession is seen to attract up to two million devotees.

“General or specific [threats], we are really preparing,” Sueno said.

He said the celebration of the feast day of Black Nazarene would continue despite the intelligence reports.

“I do not think the government will advise for the cancellation of this traditional practice (procession of the Black Nazarene). So we will just try our best to really keep our people safe,” Sueno told reporters.

He assured that the state forces have heightened security measures to ensure the safety of the people who would be participating in the event.

Sueno said the police and the military would conduct a joint command conference on Friday to map out safety measures.

“There were reports [of security threats] that’s why we are moving everything. We are doing all the preparations and we are not leaving anything to chance at all. So as long as we know there is a threat, we consider it big already, that’s why our preparations are also big,” the Local Government Secretary said.

Asked then if the government would discourage the public from joining the events related to the feast of the Black Nazarene, Sueno said, “How will you discourage a person who has faith that he will be safe going there?”

Sueno was optimistic that the annual Black Nazarene procession would be peacefully carried out.

“I think God loves the Philippines so much and I believe, I think nothing will happen during the traslacion,” he said. (Sunnex)

(PNA PHOTO/AVITO C. DALAN) PREPARATIONS. Manila Police District (MPD) Director Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel (left) discusses the traffic rerouting for Monday’s Black Nazarene procession together with Metro police chief Director Oscar Albayalde and MPD Station 3 commander...