EIGHTEEN thousand policemen will be deployed in the City of Manila to maintain peace and order for Nazareno 2026.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said that both uniformed and civilian-clad personnel were deployed as early as Wednesday night for the Pahalik at the Quirino Grandstand.

They have also put up assistance desks, as well as roaming policemen to assist senior citizens, persons with disabilities, women, and children.

Besides the police, augmentation forces from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), even local government unit personnel, will be deployed for security, traffic management, and emergency medical response.

Some roads are already temporarily closed to give way for the Pahalik; these are Independence Road, Katigbak Drive, and South Drive. Limited access will be given to nearby hotels.

Meanwhile, more road closures are expected from 9PM of Thursday, January 8, in preparation for the Traslacion or the transfer of the image of the Jesus Nazareno from Quirino Grandstand back to Quiapo Church, which will happen on Friday, January 9.

To further the security measures for the traditional procession, signal jamming and no-fly zones will be in effect once the Traslacion starts.

Based on the Quiapo Church’s data, in 2025, 8.12 million devotees attended the Traslacion.

As of 11AM on Thursday, the Manila Police District has accounted for 10,000 devotees of the Jesus Nazareno flocking for the Pahalik.

Malacañan, through Proclamation No. 1126 signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, has declared January 9 a special non-working holiday for the City of Manila.