The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) reported that the 2026 Dinagyang Festival concluded without any major security incidents, citing a massive deployment of personnel and strict enforcement of safety protocols.
Task Group Dinagyang 2026 recorded zero major crimes during the festivities. The operation involved 7,579 police officers, supported by volunteers, force multipliers and partner agencies.
Police Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, regional director of Police Regional Office 6, and Police Col. Wilbert Parilla, officer-in-charge of the city police, led the security operations.
Officers were stationed at performance venues, parade routes, food zones and transport terminals to manage crowds and ensure rapid response.
Data from the City Joint Operations Center indicated that responders handled only minor medical cases, such as fainting and hyperventilation, as well as incidents of intoxication. None of these disrupted the festival activities.
Parilla attributed the success to a 10-day gun ban enforced from 15 to 25 January, which resulted in zero recorded violations.
“This year’s Dinagyang demonstrated that security is most effective when there is unity among the community, organizers, and law enforcement,” Parilla said. He credited the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. and local government units for their cooperation.
Following the successful execution of crowd control and traffic management, authorities said the city remains a premier destination for large-scale tourism and cultural events.