More than 3,000 police officers are expected to secure Sinulog 2027 as Cebu City prepares for millions of devotees and festivalgoers during next year’s religious and cultural celebrations.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is drawing up security arrangements for six religious activities and three cultural events, with particular attention to the Solemn Procession on Jan. 16 and the Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 17, 2027.
Councilor Paul Labra, who is involved in the festival’s security oversight committee, said preparations began in September through meetings with police, disaster-response personnel and medical assistance stakeholders.
“We started planning as early as September to ensure an orderly and peaceful celebration of Sinulog 2027 and the feast of Señor Santo Niño,” Labra said.
He said the city is using previous celebrations to determine the personnel and resources needed, particularly for activities expected to draw the largest crowds.
Labra said he had asked police officials to ensure sufficient deployment during the Mardi Gras and Solemn Procession, while other activities requiring security attention include the novena Masses and nightly events at Plaza Independencia.
The expected attendance is among the major considerations in the security preparations, following the estimated peak crowd of 5.2 million during Sinulog 2026.
The figure, based on estimates from the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the CCPO, made last year’s celebration the second-largest in the festival’s history.
Labra said attendance in 2027 could remain close to last year’s turnout, although the actual number of participants and spectators remains uncertain.
The 2026 celebration also drew around 150,000 people to the Cebu City Sports Center for the ritual showdown.
More than 9,000 security and medical personnel supported the event, which recorded 152 cases of minor injuries or heat-related conditions but no major incidents.
For next year’s festivities, police contingency plans will also address possible theft and other incidents in crowded areas.
“These are already included in the police contingency plans,” Labra said, referring to concerns over pickpocketing and other theft cases raised during a security presentation.
The city is also preparing executive orders to regulate alcohol consumption and prevent unauthorized street parties and gatherings during the festival.
Labra said Mayor Nestor Archival is expected to issue directives covering the liquor ban and gatherings outside the official activities organized by the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and the Church.
During Sinulog 2026, the city prohibited the sale, distribution and public consumption of alcoholic beverages within a 300-meter radius of designated assembly areas, parade routes and dispersal points during specified hours on Jan. 17 and 18.
Labra described the security preparations for 2027 as “nearly 100%” complete, although coordination among the participating agencies will continue ahead of the festival.
The city is also considering additional measures to help festivalgoers cope with hot weather, including the installation of water fountains and misting facilities along the parade route.
Labra said the proposed facilities would still require Archival’s approval.
📷 John Togonon, PBB Photographer
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