LEAD: 3 million join Philippine religious event despite terror threat

Jan 9, 2012, 4:03 GMT

Manila - Some 3 million Catholic devotees on Monday joined a religious procession in the Philippines despite warnings of a terrorist threat to disrupt the annual pilgrimage.

A sea of barefoot men and women swarmed around the Black Nazarene, a centuries-old, life-size wooden statue of a suffering, dark-skinned Jesus Christ, as it was paraded on a carriage around central Manila.

The devotees pushed and shoved at each other to get near the statue or the carriage to wipe their handkerchiefs or towels in the belief that the Black Nazarene has healing powers.

A stampede broke out at the start of the 6-kilometre procession on the way to the statue's home in Quiapo Church from a seaside grandstand in Manila, injuring about 30 people, according to the Red Cross.

Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the crowd following the procession was estimated to be around 3 million, while another 3,000 were inside the Quiapo Church.

The devotees ignored government warnings of a possible terrorist attack, including bombings, during the procession.

'This is part of our sacrifice,' said 50-year-old Malou Empedrado. 'The poon (Black Nazareno) will take care of us. He will not let anything happen to us.'

Bartolome, head of the national police, said the warning was issued after up to nine suspected terrorists were spotted in Manila ahead of the religious festival.

'These suspects are from the southern region of Mindanao and they are known to be involved in the planning of disruptive activities,' he said.

The Black Nazarene is said to have been brought to the Philippines by a Spanish priest from Mexico in 1606.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the most celebrated religious events in the predominantly Catholic country, where more than 80 per cent of the population professes the faith.