The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has mobilized a significant security contingent to ensure the safety of the upcoming Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City. A total of 300 police personnel were formally dispatched in a send-off ceremony to augment existing security operations for the major cultural celebration.
Strategic Deployment for Festival Safety
The send-off ceremony was held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) Grandstand inside Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City. The event was led by PRO-NIR director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, chief of the PRO-NIR Public Information Office, these officers will serve as augmentation forces. Their primary mission is to strengthen the security framework managed by the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas (PRO-6) for the duration of the festival.
Composition and Duty Period of Deployed Forces
The 300-strong contingent is composed of personnel from various units within PRO-NIR:
- 63 officers from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO)
- 69 personnel from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO)
- 65 members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)
- 100 newly graduated personnel from the Field Training Program (FTP) who are assigned to PRO-NIR
The deployed forces will be on active duty in Iloilo City from January 22 to 26, 2026, aligning with the festival's key dates and supporting intensified security measures.
Reciprocity and Commitment to Safety
Brigadier General Ibay highlighted that the deployment serves a dual purpose. While its main objective is to fortify security for Dinagyang, it also acts as a gesture of gratitude. PRO-NIR is reciprocating the support that PRO Western Visayas extended during the recent MassKara Festival in Bacolod.
During the ceremony, Ibay issued a clear reminder to all personnel. He emphasized that while full commitment to maintaining peace and order is expected, every officer must also prioritize their personal safety. He underscored that their well-being is as crucial as safeguarding the public.
"Adequate manpower, strategic deployment, and continuous monitoring remain firmly in place to ensure that peace and order in the region are robust, stable, and uninterrupted," Ibay stated.
Upholding Professional Standards
The send-off ceremony reinforced the values of readiness, discipline, and professionalism among the troops. Officers were instructed to strictly follow standard operating procedures, respect human rights, and uphold the principles of people-centered policing throughout their mission.
PRO-NIR has assured residents of the Negros Island Region that this external deployment will not compromise local security coverage. The office reaffirmed its capacity to maintain safety and stability across its home region even while supporting the Dinagyang Festival operations.
"Through this strategic augmentation, PRO-NIR reaffirms its steadfast commitment to inter-regional cooperation and the implementation of proactive, comprehensive security measures," Ibay concluded. The goal is to ensure public safety, protect property, and guarantee the orderly conduct of major cultural and tourism events.
