How Murcia celebrated Spain's October 12 national holiday

Crowds gathered for the celebrations in Plaza Cardenal Belluga in central Murcia for the military parade and the Guardia Civil's annual celebrations

Crowds gathered in central Murcia on Monday October 12 to watch the Guardia Civil's annual ceremony in honour of its patron saint, the Virgen del Pilar. The event involved military tradition, medal presentations and a parade through Plaza Cardenal Belluga, with plenty of Spanish flags on display.

The ceremony took place under the October sunshine, the crowd tried to squeeze into the shade and fans were at the ready as the temperature rose. Despite the heat, the crowd stayed to watch the proceedings, which included the presentation of the national flag, military honours and speeches from regional and national representatives.

Around 30 people received decorations during the ceremony, including 25 members of the Guardia Civil. It was also the first time the event had featured the national flag since it was awarded to the regional force in November 2025.

Much of the day's speeches focused on the work officers carry out across the Region, particularly the fight against organised crime along the coast. Government delegate Francisco Lucas praised the Guardia Civil's efforts to intercept fast boats used by drug traffickers in the Mediterranean, including in the waters around Cartagena and Águilas.

He said operations against criminal networks involved in drug and human trafficking had led to around 30 arrests so far this year, alongside the seizure of nearly 50,000 litres of fuel in the Region.

Cybercrime was another important topic. Colonel Francisco Pulido, head of the Guardia Civil in Murcia, reported that the number of cybercrimes solved had increased by up to 12% over the past year. The number of solved property crimes had also risen by up to 7%.

The force's work against online fraud has helped prevent illegal bank transfers worth more than €2 million. Officers are also using tablets to take reports directly from the street. At the same time, improvements to the online reporting system have allowed 2,286 cybercrime reports to be filed in the Region over the past year.

The ceremony also included a tribute to Guardia Civil officers who have died in service since the force was founded in 1844. The solemn moment was followed by the Guardia Civil's anthem and a military parade, with motorbike patrols, Seprona officers and off-road vehicles among those taking part.

Away from the celebrations, regional officials used the occasion to call for more resources. Presidency Councillor Marcos Ortuño said Murcia needed more Guardia Civil and Policía Nacional officers, as well as additional equipment. He argued that the Region remained among those with the fewest officers per 100,000 residents.

The ceremony therefore offered both a chance to celebrate the force's work and an opportunity to draw attention to the demands placed on officers across Murcia.

Images: Ayuntamiento de Murcia