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Around 1.5 million devotees have turned out for a huge annual Roman Catholic procession in Manila.
Each year, a centuries-old wooden statue of Jesus Christ, called The Black Nazarene, is paraded through the Philippine capital.
People believe that the statue has healing powers and can cure ailments or convey good fortune. Photo: AP
This year, police and foreign embassies advised attendees to be on alert for possible terror attacks.
"My purpose here is to give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings he has given me and my family every day," Jimray Bacomage, 37, told Reuters, saying the Black Nazarene had healed his broken arm.
About 80 percent of the more than 100 million people of the Philippines are Roman Catholic and the former Spanish colony is famous for its colorful religious festivals.
The Black Nazarene, a life-sized wooden statue of Christ kneeling with a cross on his shoulder, is also paraded through the city on Good Friday to commemorate his crucifixion.
Volunteer fire fighters doused the crowd with water to cool them down in the Manila heat. Photo: Reuters
"The Lord solved all the problems that came our way ever since I started attending the Feast of the Black Nazarene 16 years ago," said Roilo Damiucon, 72.
About 4,000 soldiers, police and emergency workers were on duty for he procession but police said there were no serious incidents.
Some Western governments had warned of "possible terrorist threats to the procession". Mobile telephone services in the area were cut and authorities banned the use of drones and firecrackers.
More than 100 devotees suffered minor injuries in the throng, the Philippine Red Cross said. In 2016, two people were killed and more than 1,200 people suffered minor injuries.
The procession is expected to last more than 20 hours and up to 15 million are expected to pay their respects, church officials said.
(REUTERS)
