ILOILO City – Following an incident-free Dinagyang Festival, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) granted a two-day break to police personnel who were deployed for extended security operations during the weeklong celebration, citing their crucial role in maintaining peace and order during one of the country’s largest festivals.
PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan announced the rest period during the Dinagyang 2026 Closing and Awarding Ceremony on Monday morning, January 26, at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, describing the move as a recognition of the sacrifices and professionalism shown by officers who worked long hours throughout the festivities.
Ligan said the two-day break will be observed on Tuesday, January 27, and Wednesday, January 28, with personnel expected to report back to their respective units on Thursday, January 29.
The rest period, he explained, is intended to allow officers to recover from the physical and mental demands of continuous deployment and to spend time with their families.
“Our personnel worked long hours, often under intense conditions, to make sure that Dinagyang 2026 was safe, orderly, and successful,” Ligan said. “This two-day break is our way of thanking them for their professionalism, discipline, and commitment to public service. They deserve time to recover physically and mentally, and to reconnect with their families after fulfilling this important mission.”
While approving the temporary respite, Ligan reminded police officers to remain disciplined during the break, particularly by avoiding alcoholic drinks and activities that could tarnish the image of the police force. He stressed that officers are expected to uphold the values and standards of the Philippine National Police even while off duty.
PRO-6 earlier reported that Dinagyang 2026 concluded without any major security incidents, a development Ligan attributed to the coordinated efforts of the police, local government units, partner agencies, and the community, as well as the professionalism of the personnel deployed during the festival./PN
