A total of 1,600 security personnel were formally deployed on Monday, January 12, to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the 461st Fiesta Señor and the Sinulog Festival 2026 in Mandaue City.
Authorities have assured the public that all necessary security measures are in place for the weeklong religious celebrations.
The deployment ceremony marked the mobilization of personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM), force multipliers, Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSOs), and interns from the University of Cebu–Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM).
Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, who attended the ceremony, emphasized that the city is fully prepared for the festivities.
“All systems go na gyud. Giandaman gyud ni og maayo ang deployment sa 1,600 personnel para sa pagdawat nato ni Señor Sto. Niño ug sa sunod nga mga kalihokan,” Ouano said.
While no specific security threats have been identified, the mayor noted that the larger deployment is necessary due to the expected influx of devotees and additional side events.
Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Director Police Colonel Cirilo Acosta Jr. explained that this year’s deployment of security personnel is more than double last year’s 800-strong team.
The increase is attributed to directives from the Police Regional Office-7 and the first-ever overnight stay of the Señor Sto. Niño de Cebu image at the National Shrine of Saint Joseph in Mandaue City.
“Last year, activities were only until evening. This year, the image will stay overnight, and there will be a series of events such as masses and pahalok, which we expect will attract larger crowds,” Acosta said.
Personnel will be deployed as early as 4 a.m. on January 15, ahead of the 6 a.m. arrival of the image for the Traslacion procession.
Security will also be heightened during the image’s welcome in Barangay Subangdaku, depending on the conclusion of the Mass at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu.
Additional security will be stationed in areas with large gatherings, especially during the veneration of the sacred image.
Coastal barangays such as Looc, Subangdaku, and Paknaan will see heightened security as devotees gather to witness the fluvial procession near Mandani Bay on January 17.
“There are no threats monitored so far, as evaluated by our intelligence units, but we will remain on full alert to ensure the celebration remains peaceful, meaningful, and religious in nature,” Acosta stated.
He clarified that this deployment is in addition to the PNP’s regular beat patrols, fixed visibility points, and elevated outposts.
At least 100 MCPO personnel have also been deployed to augment the Cebu City Police Office for Sinulog-related activities.
Of the total 1,600 security personnel, 614 are from the PNP, 100 from the AFP, 63 from the BFP, 10 from the PCG, 105 from the CDRRMO, 200 from TEAM, 92 force multipliers, 150 BPSOs, and 267 interns.
Ouano also called on Mandauehanons to cooperate with authorities during the festivities.
“Ako lang hangyo sa atong mga kaigsuonan nga maminaw lang ta sa atong mga personnel para sa atong kaugalingong kaluwasan ug aron mahapusay ang pag-agad ni Señor Sto. Niño nga walay untoward incident,” he urged. (VCL)
