Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle Thursday called on the Filipino faithful to pray for peace between the two nations and for the  safety of Filipinos based in the Middle East.

In his homily during the Midnight Mass for the Traslacion 2020, Tagle urged devotees of the Black Nazarene to pray for hostilities to ease.

“Let us remember that in other parts of the world, there is a war brewing. Let us pray that our brothers in the Middle East be kept safe, for the desire for revenge and destroy others to subside,” said Tagle.

“I invite you to have a moment of silence and offer prayers for peace,” he added.

Tagle asked devotees to pray for the safety of the estimated two million Filipinos in the region.

“Let us also pray for our fellow Filipinos and their worried families here at home,” said Tagle.

Last week, US President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles against US troops in Iraq bases on late Tuesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the mandatory evacuation of Filipinos in Iran and Iraq.

Records show there are about 1,100 Filipinos in Iran and 2,100 in Iraq, excluding undocumented workers. DMS

The procession of the Black Nazarene, which drew hundreds, started earlier than scheduled on Thursday.

The annual Traslacion started around 4:15 am, earlier than their 5:30 am scheduled.

The image of the Black Nazarene was able to move at a fast paced from Quirino Grandstand reaching the Ayala Bridge around 7:20 am.

For this year, the 6.16-kilometer procession route is shorter compared to previous years where the Andas (carriage) goes to Jones Bridge.

According to Manila City’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), as of 7:30 am, around 200,000 devotees joined in celebrating the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Some devotees find the procession faster than the usual however, the movement slowed down upon reaching the Carlos Palanca street around 8am as police securing the carriage stop providing assistance.

This is due to the request of the church organizers to allow devotees to still conduct their usual tradition of climbing the carriage and pulling the rope.

Based on the record of the Philippine Red Cross, they catered a total of 328 individuals since January 8 where 301 were provided of blood pressure consultation while 21 patients due to minor injuries.

“Three individuals were given medical attention due to major cases (fainting) and transported two patients to the nearest medical center due to hypertension and avulsion,” PRC said in their twitter account.

A devotee was also arrested for bringing a bladed weapon at Quiapo Bridge.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the situation  is peaceful with no untoward incidents reported.

Around 13,000 police personnel were deployed to secure the annual tradition.  Ella Dionisio/DMS