Cebu City is gearing up for one of its most significant annual events with a massive security mobilization. More than 6,500 uniformed personnel from various national agencies are now officially tasked with ensuring public safety during the upcoming 461st Fiesta Señor and the Sinulog Festival on January 18, 2026.
Grand Send-Off Ceremony at Sports Center
The security forces gathered for a formal send-off ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center on Monday, January 5. The event was led by Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 and commander of Task Force Sinulog, alongside Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival.
The deployment represents a full-spectrum government effort, pulling personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Enhanced Assets and Intelligence Monitoring
General Maranan emphasized that the PNP is deploying all available assets to guarantee a peaceful celebration. The force's capabilities have been significantly boosted with new equipment, including:
- 45 new patrol cars from Camp Crame
- 38 motorcycles for rapid response
- 17 drones for aerial surveillance
- 25 metal detectors for crowd screening
- 30 megaphones for crowd control and announcements
Before their deployment, a priest blessed both the personnel and the new vehicles, which officials confirmed will be dedicated primarily to festival operations. "The sending of forces and resources is a traditional way showing to the public that the government, especially the uniformed personnel, are ready to perform its mandate," stated Maranan.
No Communication Blackout Planned
In a key announcement for attendees, Mayor Archival stated that there are no plans to shut down mobile phone signals during the Grand Parade. He clarified that the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) has not identified any serious threats that would warrant a communication blackout.
"No signal jam," Archival said definitively. "The direction about signal jams comes from Nica. They said so far there is no threat, so there is no signal jam."
Despite the absence of specific threats, PRO 7 remains on heightened alert. Maranan detailed that the regional office has intensified intelligence monitoring and established a mobile command center to oversee security operations throughout Cebu City during the festivities.
Mayor Archival extended his gratitude to all security forces and city departments for their commitment to safeguarding an event that draws millions of local and foreign pilgrims and tourists each year. The coordinated effort underscores the government's priority to protect both the solemn religious observance of the Fiesta Señor and the vibrant cultural celebration of the Sinulog Festival.
