4,613 cops, forces deployed for Dinagyang 2026

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl M. Jopson

A total of 4,613 police personnel and force multipliers will be deployed across Iloilo City to secure the Dinagyang Festival 2026, authorities said.

The Police Regional Office 6 said 3,847 police officers will be formally deployed during a send-off ceremony Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.

With the Iloilo City Police Office operating at full strength, additional personnel will be drawn from other Police Regional Office 6 units, including the Iloilo Police Provincial Office, Antique Police Provincial Office, Capiz Police Provincial Office, and Guimaras Police Provincial Office.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Office spokesperson, said the deployment will also include personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and newly hired officers under the Field Training Program.

Three hundred police personnel from the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region will augment security during the festival, further boosting manpower for crowd control and public safety.

The Negros Island Region augmentation force is composed of three personnel from the regional headquarters, 63 from the Bacolod City Police Office, 69 from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, 65 from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, and 100 Field Training Program officers.

Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, regional director of the Negros Island Region police, led the send-off ceremony Tuesday at the grandstand of the Negros Occidental police headquarters at Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.

The deployed Negros Island Region personnel will perform security duties from Jan. 22 to 26 in line with heightened safety measures for the Dinagyang festivities.

Ibay said the deployment not only strengthens festival security but also serves as a gesture of gratitude to Police Regional Office 6 for its support during Bacolod City’s recent MassKara Festival.

He reminded officers to remain vigilant, prioritize their personal safety, and ensure the protection of festivalgoers throughout their assignment.

While underscoring the importance of maintaining peace and order, Ibay stressed that the safety of police personnel is equally critical and that all officers must return safely after completing their mission.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region assured the public that the deployment will not compromise security coverage in its area of responsibility, citing sufficient manpower, strategic deployment, and continuous monitoring.

Sangrines said the overall 4,613-strong deployment also includes emergency preparedness and response teams, such as traffic enforcers and medical personnel.

She added that about 2,057 personnel from 41 accredited force multiplier groups will also be deployed to support law enforcement operations.

Authorities said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology will position prisoner transport vans in strategic areas as part of contingency and security measures.

“It’s all systems go for the Dinagyang Festival 2026,” Sangrines said.

Police personnel, members of law enforcement agencies, and force multipliers will be assigned to various task groups, including command and control, security and peace and order, emergency preparedness and response, and traffic management.

Sangrines said the deployment is not meant to display force but to demonstrate a sincere commitment to serving and protecting the community.

As in previous years, the Iloilo City Police Office aims to achieve zero major crime incidents, prevent criminal activity, and ensure efficient and effective emergency response throughout the festival.