Naga city: The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) is set to deploy more than 3,000 police officers to ensure the safety of the anticipated over 1.5 million devotees, pilgrims, and tourists participating in the upcoming Pe±afrancia Festival in Naga City this month.

According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr. stated that preparations are 90 percent complete for the largest annual religious event in the Bicol region. He emphasized that the contingency plan accommodates more participants and highlights traffic management as a crucial part of the security measures. The effort is a collaborative one, involving not only personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) but also cooperation with other government agencies.

The festival is celebrated in honor of the feast day of Our Lady of Pe±afrancia, the patroness of the region. The event's main highlight is the fluvial procession along the Naga River, scheduled for September 20. More than 2,500 personnel from PRO-5 units will be deployed in a formal send-off ceremony on September 11 in Naga City, in addition to the 800 officers from the Naga City Police Station.

A heightened alert status will begin on September 7 as part of the preparations for the annual event. High-ranking government and religious sector officials are expected to attend the Pe±afrancia Festival. Brig. Gen. Babagay appealed to participants to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to ensure a safe and secure celebration for everyone involved.

To enhance readiness, checkpoints and simulation exercises for various scenarios are being conducted to ensure a rapid five-minute response time during emergencies. These operations remain under the purview of the police, with a focus on improving efficiency through timed simulations and actual response drills.