Celebration never stops for Cebuanos, especially for major events that notably identifies the region. After ringing in the Christmas and New Year, the celebration begins a new cycle continues as they prepare for the ‘Grandest Festival in the Philippines’—the Sinulog. This is an annual cultural and religious event held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu, a vibrant display of faith and an expression through a festival held in honor of the Santo Niño. Aside from the religious aspect, the Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually happening the night before and the night of the main festival.
The Sinulog Festival is a weeklong celebration drawing over thousands of attendees each year. To ensure safety and security, the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) had deployed over 3,000 PNP personnel during the Send-off Ceremony at Cebu City Sports Complex on January 8, 2025. This security initiative was in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fire Protection 7 (BFP7), with additional support from the Department of Health, Office of Civil Defense, and community volunteers. The Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) had also utilized air assets for aerial patrols, which provided timely updates that helped in maintaining safety and order on the ground.
The 460th Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival 2025 began with the first novena mass on January 9, 2025 at the Minor Basilica del Santo Niño and the annual Penitential Walk with Jesus, a dawn procession, from Fuente Osmeña Circle in Cebu City to the Minor Basilica del Santo Niño. Around 160,000 devotees had participated, showcasing the community’s steadfast devotion. As part of PRO7’s Task Force security strategy, approximately 1,904 personnel were deployed to key locations, including along the procession route and at designated entry and exit points. The Penitential Walk with Mary and the Traslacion on January 17, 2025, saw around 300,000 devotees making the journey from Guadalupe Church in Barangay Guadalupe to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu. A strong security presence of around 2,163 personnel, alongside partner agencies and force multipliers, was strategically deployed along the procession route and at key points.
On January 18, 2025, over 342 boats carrying devotees and sacred images of the Holy Child Jesus took part in the fluvial procession that traversed through the Mactan Channel to return the image of the Santo Niño to its home at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu. Approximately 703 security personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of the event. The event was followed by the solemn foot procession of Fiesta Señor, which was participated in by around 1.4 million devotees. To ensure safety and order, PRO7 had deployed a strong force of approximately 22,588 security personnel, supported by student volunteers, assistance groups, and various mobility assets, allowing attendees to fully concentrate on the sacredness of the event.
Enhanced security, emergency preparedness, and technological innovations had contributed to the success of the Sinulog Grand Festival 2025 on January 19, 2025. The event was a success, and no major security incident had been reported, reflecting the effectiveness of the security measures. While there were minor violations such as public drinking, smoking, littering, and traffic law infractions, crime statistics had shown a significant 52.89% decrease in the eight focus crimes, compared to the previous year. From January 11 to 21, 2024, there were 121 incidents, 57 of which were reported from January 9 to 19.
PRO 7’s dedicated efforts in ensuring safety, through strategic personnel deployment and collaboration with various agencies, had contributed to the success of Sinulog 2025. The celebration may have ended, but the unity, faith, and dedication of Cebuanos continue to shine. With the community’s unwavering commitment and the diligent efforts of security forces, the grand festival unfolded smoothly, marked by reverence and joy. Over the years, Sinulog has proven to be not only a celebration of faith but also a testament to collaboration, resilience, and safety, ensuring that each year’s festivities are remembered for the perfect blend of grandeur and peaceful harmony.
