(9 Jan 2020) Tens of thousands gathered in Manila on Thursday for the start of an annual procession of a centuries-old black statue of Jesus Christ in one of Asia’s largest religious events.
The day long procession of the wooden statue of the Black Nazarene drew massive crowds of largely poor devotees, who use the opportunity to pray for the sick, and for a better life.
During the ceremony, crowds around the statue surged as devotees attempted to touch it, believing it can cure ailments or perform miracles.
Dozens sustained injuries or fainted in the tropical heat, and were carried away on stretchers provided by Red Cross volunteers.
Crowned with thorns and bearing a cross, the Nazarene statue is believed to have been brought from Mexico to Manila on a galleon in 1606 by Spanish missionaries.
Its religious significance comes from it having supposedly survived a fire and shipwreck during its journey to the Philippines.
More than 12,000 police were deployed to secure the procession on Thursday as authorities expected 4 million people to attend, with bomb squads and snipers deployed, despite no reports of any specific threat.
This year the focus of the celebration turned to the Middle East, with faith leaders highlighting fears of conflict between the US and Iran.
The Philippine government on Wednesday ordered Filipino workers to leave Iraq and Iran due to tensions in the region.
The Philippines military prepared to deploy navy ships, three cargo planes, as well as marines and army troops to help the evacuations in case hostilities worsen.
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