THE observance of the 2025 Holy Week in Western Visayas was generally peaceful, with no untoward incidents recorded by the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6).
The successful celebration of the Lenten Season was attributed to the collaboration of church authorities, local government units, force multipliers, volunteer groups, and other government agencies with the Philippine National Police.
Police Brigadier General Jack Wanky, regional director of the PRO 6, commended all personnel under his command for their dedication and individual sacrifices.
“We sincerely thank the local government units, government agencies, barangay officials, barangay tanods, rescue groups, and force multipliers for the services they selflessly rendered resulting in a safe, peaceful, and orderly 2025 Lenten celebration,” said Wanky.
“May this feat continue as we strive to maintain a safer Western Visayas conducive to live, invest, and do business,” he added.
To ensure safety and security throughout Semana Santa, PRO 6 deployed police personnel across Western Visayas.
Uniformed officers were assigned to churches, tourist destinations, piers, bus terminals, major roads, and other areas with high foot traffic.
The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit in Western Visayas, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (Ippo), Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo), Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO), Guimaras Police Provincial Office (GPPO), Aklan Police Provincial Office (Akppo), and Antique Police Provincial Office (Antppo), along with support from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Regional Field Unit in Western Visayas and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) in Western Visayas, took part in implementing the region-wide security plans.
In Iloilo City, Icpo confirmed a similarly peaceful Holy Week. No major incidents were reported, according to Icpo Director Police Colonel Kim
Legada.
He credited the safe observance of the Semana Santa to the proactive police presence, the public’s vigilance, and cooperation with various sectors.
“We thank the public for their vigilance and cooperation, as well as our personnel and force multipliers for their commitment to maintaining peace and order during the Holy Week,” Legada said.
From Holy Monday to Easter Sunday, the Icpo deployed personnel to key locations such as churches, transport terminals, seaports, tourist areas, and major roads. Police Assistance Desks were also installed to provide immediate response and assistance.
Icpo worked closely with barangay officials, tanods, private security personnel, and volunteers, all of whom served as force multipliers in supporting the city's security measures.
The PRO 6 reaffirmed its commitment to uphold peace and order and ensure the safety of the public during future religious, civic, and political events across the region. (Leo Solinap)