PRO-6: Security set for Dinagyang 2018

CEBU, Philippines — As far as security preparations are concerned, it's “all systems go” for the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival 2018, according to Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, spokesman of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).

Gorero said that PRO-6, for the annual Dinagyang Festival, had already mapped out the major event security framework (MESF), which is a security template employed for big events like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings.

The Site Task Group (STG) Dinagyang 2018 was already activated to ensure safety and security, Gorero said. It will sustain intelligence monitoring of threat groups; conduct police operations against threat groups; render public safety services and ensure deployment of security personnel in all places of activities; and continuous liaison and coordination with other concerned agencies, he said.

Last January 21, PRO-6 had deployed 904 policemen as augmentation force for the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), and around 2,000 more policemen and more than a thousand force multipliers and emergency reponders are now deployed to the festival site, particularly on the so-called Circuit of 8, a stretch covering the five judging areas in the City Proper district, for the street dancing competition.

These additional forces will also be deployed in other areas outside the City Proper like Smallville Complex, Atria Park, Iloilo Business Park, and Times Square Iloilo, which are usually frequented by revelers and tourists during night time.

There would also be policemen to be deployed to billeting areas of security forces and non-residents of Iloilo City who would join in the Kasadyahan and Ati tribe competitions. A separate tactical operations center will also be established near the Freedom Grandstand.

Gorero also confirmed the approval of a shutdown of mobile communications relative to the two-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival.

The signal shut off will run from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the two-day festival highlights: January 27 for the Kasadyahan Cultural Competition and January 28 for the Ati Tribes Competition. The signal jam is proposed to cover a 300-meter radius from the City Proper area, where the judging areas are located.

Gorero also reminded the public that the 7-day gun ban all over Iloilo City started yesterday, Jan. 23, and will run until Jan. 29. Permits to carry firearm outside residence (PTCFOR) are also suspended during the Dinagyang Festival, he added. (FREEMAN)