Sinulog security: Police support use of signal jammers

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 is supporting the move to utilize signal jammers during the Sinulog 2018 festivities, citing that it will work out on a few adjustments from last January’s template.

Senior Superintendent Renato Dugan, Police Community Relations chief and who stood as spokesman, said that cops are supportive of the plan, saying that the Sinulog this year was both successful and peaceful.

"Definitely ato na nang gibuhat last Sinulog.  It turned out that we had good output of the celebration of the Sinulog," Dugan said.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had earlier rolled out the plan to use signal jammers to counter terrorism, counting the possibility of remnants of ISIS-inspired Maute members who may attempt to sow terror in Cebu after Marawi City has been liberated.

Dugan said that minor problems such as efficient response to emergency situations or call for backup caused by the signal jamming will be "thoroughly" ironed out by police.

Just like this year, the police will be carrying handheld radios as a medium of communication.

"Tanang problema naay solusyon.  Sauna, we are using handheld radios. Enough ra pud ang handheld radio nga magamit," Dugan said.

He continued that a final conference for the utilization of signal jammers and preparations on security and safety will be set the annual celebration.

"It will be discussed sa final conference regarding sa preparation nato sa Sinulog kung ato ipa-implement to ang signal jammers.  Diha maplantsa tanan kung unsa ang preparasyon," Dugan said.

He also entertained the idea of drawing out the public's opinion to the idea of signal jammers.

However, he reiterated that public’s safety will always be their top priority above anything else, even with drawbacks of having signals shut down in certain key locations.

"Feedback from the public, if it is good or not good to implement signal jammers, regardless of anything atong priority is safety,"   Dugan said.  (FREEMAN)