Faith greater than fear: Procession held despite threats

Millions of Filipino Catholics processed through the streets of Manila today, carrying with them a statue of Christ known as “the Black Nazarene”. The procession went ahead despite warnings that terrorists might target the annual procession.

The government did not have specific intelligence on a terrorist plot. Still, about 15,000 policemen, backed by hundreds of army troops, secured the three-mile (five-kilometer) procession route for the charred wooden Black Nazarene statue from seaside Rizal Park to a popular church in Manila's congested Quiapo district.

“It's a choice between faith and fear,” said Rodolfo Uy, 45, a polio victim whose 12-year-old son pushed him on a wheelchair to see the Black Nazarene. “I got nervous last night when I heard the news but my devotion was stronger.”

As many as 9 million people are expected to take part in the devotions, led this year by newly appointed Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle.