Traslacion 2026 leaves four dead

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January 11, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Four people died during the Traslacion of the Black Nazarene in Manila on Friday, including a photojournalist covering the event who collapsed due to possible fatigue, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said.

Aside from Itoh Son, photojournalist of tabloid Saksi and member of the Manila Police District press corps, a Nazareno devotee also died after reportedly being run over by the carriage carrying the Black Nazarene, or andas, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said, citing reports.

Another succumbed to cardiac arrest, while a fourth died of a head injury. Both were brought to Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Meanwhile, a group of devotees chasing and punching each other along Arlegui St., as seen on circulating videos, did not affect the security situation in the area, Asilo noted.

“Maybe, it’s part of the procession, especially given the crowd surge, but there were no reported incidents, and no one approached the police to file a complaint,” she told The STAR.

Overall, the NCRPO’s initial assessment for Traslacion 2026 was “generally peaceful.”

“It’s generally peaceful from Day 1,” NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said. “We’re glad it’s finally over because, as the saying goes, no matter how long the procession is, it always ends up in the church.”

Full alert status ran until 5 p.m. yesterday, with police augmentations from Regions 3 and 4A dispersed early, while all other stationed cops were conducting post-briefings before returning to their bases.

Medical assistance

According to the Department of Health (DOH), around 1,019 devotees were provided medical assistance during the Traslacion starting Friday.

Of the number, 390 sustained injuries after co-devotees fell on them.

Some were pinned between the andas and the crowd while others fell after climbing to touch the image of the Black Nazarene, despite repeated reminders from church officials, city government and the police discouraging the public from doing so.

There were also patients whose toes were cut off after being run over by the andas.

It was earlier reported that the andas underwent a structural upgrade and its movement was made possible using forklift and steel tires.

Apart from the wounded, those sent to the DOH medical tents complained of dizziness, hypertension and hypotension.

Most of the patients were males aged 20 to 24 followed by those 15 to 19 years old. — Ghio Ong, Rhodina Villanueva