The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has taken proactive steps to ensure the safety and order of a major religious event, conducting a comprehensive simulation exercise this week.
Dry Run for a Sacred Procession
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, police and partner agencies performed a detailed dry run in preparation for the Traslacion scheduled for January 15 and 16. The activity, led by Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta, city director of the MCPO, focused on the secure transfer of the revered images of Señor Sto. Niño, Virgen de Guadalupe, and San Jose.
"We conducted this simulation to fully prepare for the reception of the holy images," Acosta stated. The exercise aimed to identify and rectify any potential security or logistical issues before the actual event.
Multi-Agency Coordination and Route Inspection
The MCPO did not work alone. The dry run involved coordination with a broad coalition of government and non-government bodies. Key partners included the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Sinulog Foundation, and the National Shrine of St. Joseph.
Team leaders from these agencies personally inspected the designated turnover areas and the entire procession route. Their goal was to spot deficiencies in deployment plans, check for damaged roads and dangling wires, and address any other hazards that could affect the solemn occasion.
Based on the simulation, authorities estimated the convoy's travel time from Innodata Subangdaku at the Mandaue-Cebu City boundary to the National Shrine of St. Joseph to be between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on crowd density.
Public Appeal and Final Preparations
Colonel Acosta made a direct appeal to the public for cooperation. He emphasized the need to maintain the integrity of the convoy, requesting that no additional vehicles join the procession line to prevent delays and disruptions.
While the overall assessment was positive, the dry run revealed minor issues like garbage and illegally parked vehicles along the route. Some offending vehicles were clamped during the operation. "On the actual day, we will ensure the roads are clear for a smooth passage," Acosta assured.
For the main event, a significant security force of 1,050 personnel will be deployed. This contingent will include MCPO officers, personnel from other enforcement agencies, barangay security officers, and criminology students. Police will maintain a 24/7 presence at the church until the send-off is complete.
As a final step in preparations, Acosta confirmed that another major dry run is set for Friday, January 9. This exercise will cover the route extending from Cebu City to Lapu-Lapu City.
