The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is mobilizing a significant security force to ensure public safety as the city prepares to welcome the year 2026. More than a thousand police officers will be stationed across various parts of the metropolis on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Oplan Paskuhan: A Proactive Security Strategy
Police Colonel George Ylanan, the chief of the CCPO, stated that security preparations under Oplan Paskuhan began at the start of the holiday season. He emphasized that a high-visibility police presence will be maintained, with officers conducting patrols even in the interior sections of barangays to protect residents and visitors alike.
Colonel Ylanan noted a substantial influx of both foreign and local tourists in Cebu City, attributed to the extended holiday break. In response, he has directed an increased police presence in key tourist spots, shopping malls, and other popular destinations to safeguard the visiting public.
Public Vigilance and Social Media Discipline
Authorities are urging the community to cooperate and remain vigilant. A key safety reminder from Colonel Ylanan focuses on social media discipline. He advised the public to avoid posting their real-time location or vacation activities, as such information can make them targets for criminals.
"Our reminder to our people is, number one, discipline on social media. Do not post 'at this moment' or 'ATM' that you are not at home. If you go on vacation, you may post, but perhaps only afterward, so you will not become targets of criminals," Ylanan said in Cebuano.
Region-Wide Alert for a Peaceful Celebration
This local initiative is part of a broader security effort across Central Visayas. Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7), confirmed that all police forces in the region are on full alert status for the New Year celebration.
The primary objectives for the deployment are clear:
- Prevent crimes during the festivities.
- Achieve zero crime incidents and zero victims from firecracker misuse.
- Stop the dangerous practice of indiscriminate firing.
General Maranan issued a stern warning against celebratory gunfire, highlighting its lethal consequences. "Let us not engage in indiscriminate firing using our firearms because it is very dangerous. You may kill someone, injure yourself, and most of all, face imprisonment," he stated.
He also advised the public to purchase firecrackers only from legitimate and authorized retailers to prevent accidents. On a regional scale, more than 10,000 police officers will be deployed throughout Central Visayas to secure a safe and peaceful transition into the new year.
