Robredo, PRO 5, NCPO tighten security plans for Peñafrancia 2026

By Jason B. Neola

WITH thousands of devotees and visitors expected to converge in Naga City for the Peñafrancia Festival, Naga LGU and police officials are stepping up preparations to keep the annual celebration safe, orderly and peaceful.

Mayor Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ G. Robredo joined Police Regional Office 5 (PRO 5) Director PBGen. Randy Glenn G. Silvio and officials of the Naga City Police Office (NCPO) in a command conference Sunday, August 30, where security preparations and operational plans for the 2026 Peñafrancia Festival were discussed.

Held at the NCPO along Barlin Street in Barangay Sta. Cruz, the conference tackled the deployment of police personnel, security coverage for major festival activities, traffic and crowd management, route security, and coordination with government agencies and other stakeholders.

The officials also discussed contingency measures and other operational concerns, including identified security gaps and the measures needed to address them, particularly as large crowds are expected during the religious activities.

Silvio presided over the conference during his visit to the NCPO, with Robredo attending as an invited guest. Also present were PCol Wilson A. Santos VI, deputy regional director for operations; PCol Gilbert P. Fariñas, chief of the Regional Operations Division; PCol Rizaldy L. Caballero, acting city director of the NCPO; and the police office’s key officers.

The coordination is part of the preparations being undertaken by police authorities and the city government ahead of the Peñafrancia Festival, one of the major Marian Festivals in Southeast Asia, to help ensure the safety of devotees, participants, residents and visitors throughout the celebration.

The conference, which started at 4 p.m., ended at around 5 p.m. It was followed by a briefing on the latest developments involving robbery, theft and “basag-kotse” incidents in Naga City.

Silvio assumed command of the Bicol regional police office last week, succeeding Police Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda, who retired after more than 30 years of service.

Police Lt. Gen. Wilson Joseph Lopez, PNP deputy chief for operations, presided over the change-of-command ceremony at Camp Gen. Simeon A. Ola in Legazpi City.

Silvio, a member of Philippine National Police Academy Class of 1997, previously served as district director of the Quezon City Police District, was chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the National Capital Region and Region 5, and had served as provincial director of the Laguna Police Provincial Office.