The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has dispatched a significant security contingent to ensure the safety of one of the country's biggest religious and cultural events.
Major Security Augmentation for Sinulog
A total of 150 police personnel from PRO-NIR have been deployed to Cebu City to reinforce security operations for the Sinulog Festival 2026. This strategic move aims to provide additional manpower during the peak of the festivities, which draw massive crowds from across the Philippines and the world.
The send-off ceremony for the augmentation force was held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo) Maringal Hall. The event took place at Camp Lt. Col. Francisco Fernandez Jr. in Barangay Agan-an, Sibulan, Negros Oriental.
Composition and Assignment of Forces
The deployed contingent is composed of officers from two provincial offices within the PRO-NIR jurisdiction. One hundred personnel came from the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), while the remaining 50 were sourced from the Siquijor Police Provincial Office (SSPO).
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, the augmentation team is scheduled to report for duty in Cebu City from January 15 until January 18, 2026. They will be strategically stationed across various key areas of the city to maximize security coverage.
Emphasis on Discipline and Public Safety
During the send-off, Lt. Col. Malong underscored the critical importance of discipline, professionalism, and respect for human rights as the officers perform their duties. The personnel were instructed to remain vigilant, proactive, and responsive in handling a range of potential situations.
Their primary responsibilities will include:
- Addressing security concerns and threats.
- Managing large crowds efficiently.
- Responding swiftly to any emergency situations that may arise during the festival.
Malong stated that this deployment highlights PRO-NIR's unwavering dedication to ensuring public safety and promoting peaceful celebrations. It also demonstrates the organization's commitment to upholding law and order wherever their assistance is required.
This collective effort reinforces the Philippine National Police's (PNP) unified approach to public safety during major national events," Malong added. "It shows our resolve to create a secure environment, protect lives and property, and maintain peace and order, allowing the public to celebrate with confidence and peace of mind."
The operation further exemplifies the strong coordination and seamless interoperability between PRO-NIR and the host police units in Cebu. This collaboration is a core part of the PNP's whole-of-organization strategy for managing large-scale events.
PRO-NIR also provided assurance to residents of the Negros Island Region. The agency confirmed that security coverage across Negros and Siquijor will remain robust and uninterrupted despite the deployment of personnel to support the Sinulog Festival operations in Cebu.
