PNP declares Sinulog, Ati-atihan 2026 peaceful and orderly

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declared the recently concluded Cebu Sinulog Festival 2026 and Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2026 generally peaceful, orderly, and successful, with zero major untoward incidents recorded during the weeklong celebrations.

In separate assessments submitted by Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) and the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6)–Aklan Police Provincial Office, the PNP highlighted strong security planning, close ground leadership, and active public cooperation as the key factors behind the smooth conduct of two of the country’s biggest religious and cultural festivals.

For Sinulog 2026 in Cebu, police reported the safe management of gatherings that drew an estimated more than three million devotees and spectators, particularly during the Sinulog Grand Mardi Gras on January 18. Around 8,000 security personnel from the PNP, AFP, BFP, BJMP, PCG, NICA, local government units, and various force multipliers were deployed to secure major venues and the parade route.

Authorities credited heightened police visibility, real-time coordination, and the use of technology—including a mobile command vehicle and CCTV monitoring—for faster response and better crowd management. Police commanders were also visibly present along the parade route to ensure discipline, order, and quick decision-making on the ground.

Meanwhile, in Kalibo, Aklan, the Ati-Atihan Festival 2026 likewise concluded without major security concerns, despite an estimated crowd of about 250,000 during the festival’s peak day. More than 3,200 personnel from the PNP, BFP, PCG, disaster response units, and force multipliers were deployed under the Site Task Group “ATIFEST 2026.”

Police noted that early intelligence work, proactive engagement with potential troublemakers, strict crowd control, and close coordination among agencies helped prevent incidents before they escalated. Emergency preparedness was strengthened through the establishment of staging areas, activation of a joint operations center with CCTV monitoring, and the deployment of women and children protection desks in key areas.

Acting Chief PNP PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. commended the police units, partner agencies, local governments, and the public for working together to keep the celebrations safe.

“Malinaw po na kapag maayos ang plano, malinaw ang ugnayan ng mga ahensya, at disiplinado ang pagpapatupad, nagiging ligtas at maayos ang malalaking pagtitipon,” PLTGEN Nartatez said. “Ang tunay na sukatan ng tagumpay dito ay wala tayong nasaktang mamamayan at walang seryosong insidente.”

He also underscored the role of public cooperation in maintaining peace and order.

“Hindi lang ito tagumpay ng PNP. Tagumpay ito ng sambayanan—ng mga deboto, mga organizer, LGUs, at volunteers na nakipagtulungan at sumunod sa mga patakaran,” he added.

The PNP said lessons learned from both festivals—including inter-agency coordination, technology use, and ground-level leadership—will be further refined and applied to upcoming major national events.

“These assessments help us improve. Every festival is an opportunity to do better, to respond faster, and to serve the public more effectively,” PLTGEN Nartatez said.

The PNP reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety while respecting cultural and religious traditions nationwide, in line with its guiding principle:“Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”