Iloilo welcomes 2026 peacefully

ILOILO CITY — Iloilo City ushered in the New Year 2026 in a calm and orderly manner, with authorities reporting no incidents of stray bullets, indiscriminate firing, or firecracker-related deaths, marking yet another peaceful holiday celebration for Ilonggos.

As of press time, monitoring by the City Tactical and Operations Center (CTOC) showed no major incidents as of 6 A.M. of January 1, 2026, despite large crowds and widespread festivities across the city.

Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Director Police Colonel Kim Legada attributed the peaceful outcome to strong cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.

“This peaceful celebration is a collective effort of the community. Authorities, local organizations, and residents worked hand in hand to ensure a safe and harmonious environment during the New Year revelries,” Legada said.

The incident-free celebration was credited to intensified security operations under the Philippine National Police’s Ligtas Paskuhan 2025 campaign. The ICPO implemented heightened police visibility, strategic deployment of personnel, and close coordination with local government units and force multipliers.

Police assistance desks were established in key areas, while uniformed personnel conducted continuous foot and mobile patrols throughout the city to deter criminal activity and ensure swift response to emergencies.

Legada also lauded police personnel for their dedication during the holiday deployment, assuring residents that public safety remains a top priority beyond the festivities.

“We thank our police personnel and the community for their cooperation, which enabled us to welcome the New Year in a generally peaceful manner. We assure the public of our continued commitment to dedicated and responsive police service,” he added.

Iloilo Province also largely peaceful

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) likewise reported a generally peaceful New Year celebration across the province, with no major security threats or significant incidents recorded.

IPPO Director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan said that while a few isolated incidents were noted within the 24-hour period prior to the close of 2025, these did not affect the overall peace and order situation in the province.

Most of the reported incidents occurred within residential areas and were largely alcohol-related, Razalan said.

“This achievement is proof of the effective deployment of our personnel,” Razalan added, citing proactive policing and community cooperation as key factors in maintaining peace and order.

Police authorities reiterated their call for continued vigilance and public cooperation as law enforcement units remain on heightened alert in the days following the New Year celebrations.