Police beef up security for Peñafrancia 2026

By Paulo DS Papa

THE Naga City Police Office has yet to receive approval from Camp Crame and the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) for its requests to implement signal jamming and a gun ban during the Peñafrancia Fiesta next month, even as the regional command is set to deploy around 1,500 police personnel as an augmentation force in the city.

PLTCOL Elmer Azurez Jr., chief of the City Community Affairs and Development Unit of the Naga City Police Office, said in an interview that, in principle, their request for additional personnel to be deployed in the city has been approved by PRO-5.

He said the regional command is now coordinating with the city police regarding the dates, times and areas where the additional personnel will be deployed.

Azurez added that the city police force now has nearly 1,000 personnel. With the augmentation force from the regional command, more than 2,000 police officers are expected to be deployed to secure the city during the major activities of the fiesta.

Asked about the proposed gun ban, Azurez said they have requested its implementation from September 5 to 21.

Meanwhile, he said the police, together with partner agencies, are working on security strategies for the Traslacion and Fluvial Procession to help maintain peace and order during the two major religious events.

He said the security plan will include measures to prevent intoxicated devotees from causing disturbances or obstructing the processions, particularly in areas near the Peñafrancia Basilica Minore, where the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is brought during the Traslacion, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga, associated with the El Divino Rostro observance.