PNoy Confirmed Terror Threat on Black Nazarene Procession

A credible and unspecific terror threat against the Black Nazarene procession was revealed on Sunday in a briefing by President Benigno Aquino III. Reports said PNoy called on Filipinos to exercise "maximum vigilance and discipline" leading up to and during the Black Nazarene feast on Monday, January 9, 2012.


"I am sad that terrorists want to disrupt ability of people to live their lives, including freedom to worship and other community activities," he said at a press briefing in Malacañang on Sunday.

“There are several individuals associated with a terrorist group. There is a report that they were spotted in the National Capital Region,” he added.

Plans to disrupt the procession, "possibly with terror attacks," were uncovered. "The state will protect the devotees to the fullest extent possible."

The President appealed to the estimated nine million devotees expected to attend the procession to "not bring the following to the processions: cell phones, weapons, fireworks. Anyone who is caught bringing or using fireworks will be apprehended.”

According to Rappler, Police chief Nicanor Bartolome said they have placed the entire 15,000-strong police force in Metro Manila on full alert as part of a comprehesive security and public safety plan.