Naga city: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) initiated a send-off ceremony for its personnel tasked with ensuring security and public safety during the Pe±afrancia Festival 2026 at Camp Brig. Gen Simeon Ola. The two-week festival, which began on September 6 and will conclude on September 19 with a river fluvial procession, has prompted a significant police deployment to manage the expected influx of devotees and visitors.
According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio presided over the ceremony, which included 868 personnel physically present and others participating via Zoom from various police offices in the area. The deployment is part of a larger force of 2,600 personnel, supported by 35 mobility assets, aimed at enhancing security during the festival.
The 868 personnel consist of 300 from the Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, 280 from the Albay PPO, 100 from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, 70 from the Regional Headquarters, and 118 from other support units. These officers will be stationed at critical festival locations to provide security, manage crowds and traffic, and ensure prompt police assistance.
To bolster operational capacity, Silvio introduced new equipment, including eight Starlink units, six Honor phones, 200 life vests, helmets, Go Bags, three generators, and 20 megaphones and flashlights. This equipment is expected to address the lack of body-worn cameras, with some officers previously relying on personal mobile phones.
Silvio emphasized the importance of strengthening ICT capabilities, highlighting that these enhancements will improve police readiness and responsiveness. He committed to personally overseeing the deployment to ensure the effective implementation of security plans and the accessibility of police services during the festival.
During the send-off, Silvio urged personnel to maintain patience and adhere to police operational procedures, especially in situations involving crowd confrontations. "If there is pushing, we should still maintain maximum tolerance," he advised.
The Pe±afrancia Festival is anticipated to attract over a million pilgrims, tourists, and Catholic faithful, necessitating comprehensive security measures to accommodate the large gatherings safely.
