17 to be nailed to cross tomorrow

source: mb.com.ph

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — At least 17 penitents will re-enact the crucifixion by actually being nailed to wooden crosses tomorrow, Good Friday, in four villages here.

Councilor Jimmy Lazatin Maleldo, 2011 committee chairperson for Holy Week Committee, disclosed that this year’s re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion in barangays San Pedro Cutud, Sta. Lucia, San Juan and Calulut will be different from the previous years.

Maleldo explained the crucifixion rite is limited to Kapampangan and discouraged foreigners from joining the annual ritual re-enactment of Christ’s Crucifixion.

Senior Supt. Edgardo Tinio, Pampanga provincial police director, said more than 200 policemen with K-9 dogs armed with hand-held radios and service firearms, will secure the crucifixion sites where some 50,000 both local and foreign tourists are expected to witness the annual rites.

Senior Superintendent Homer Penecilla, city police chief, who also heads the Security Management Team of the Maleldo Committee 2011, said that there will also be roving patrols, K-9 units, mobile escorts and quick reaction teams to assist the public in case of emergency.

“We are always looking at worst-case scenarios here, and it is not a normal preparation,” Penecilla said. The annual event, which is supported by the local government, will be staged in barangays Sta. Lucia, San Juan and San Pedro Cutud.

Five crucifixion rites will start at 9 a.m. in Barangay San Juan. It will be followed by three other events in Barangay Sta. Lucia at 10 a.m. The highlight of the event will be in Barangay San Pedro Cutud where 15 crucifixions are expected.

The Maleldo Committee 2011 Traffic Management Team also reminded the public to observe available signages that will guide them on alternative roads to avoid traffic.

The city government clarified that there is no parking fee in designated parking lots.

The other two penitents will be expected to be nailed on the cross on Good Friday at Brgy. Calulut in the city.

Lazatin revealed that the rites of villages of Sta. Lucia and San Juan, like in San Pedro Cutud, will also include costumed portrayals of Jesus, Mary, the apostles, Pontius Pilate, and Judas. and Judas.

This developed as policemen and women under the command of the Rizal Police Provincial Office (PPO) took turns in carrying a wooden cross as they reflect on the passion and death of Jesus Christ in each of the

14 Stations of the Cross inside the police compound on Hilltop, in Taytay, Rizal.

Sr. Supt. Manuel Cesar Prieto, PPO director, led the police and civilian personnel in contemplating on the sufferings of Christ in the PPO tradition of observing Holy Wednesday.

Greta Panes, non-uniformed personnel at the PPO, said that the Lenten practice has made her realize the importance of the passion and death of Christ in our salvation.

“It is not common to see a uniformed policeman or women bearing a cross while walking in this province so seeing this once a year Holy Wednesday tradition in the PPO compound is a must see activity here,” a policeman participant said.

Panes, a devout Catholic, said that the Holy Wednesday tradition was initiated during the time of then PPO directors, Sr. Supt. Freddie Panen and Sr. Supt. Ferdinand Miano.

source: mb.com.ph