Friday, January 26, 2007 Iloilo police implement strict frisking and checkpoints in food festival By Ruby P. Silubrico
THE Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is now strictly conducting checkpoints and frisking because the food festival has started at the main streets of Iloilo City in relation to the Dinagyang celebration.
ICPO Chief Wesley Barayuga said he has placed maximum personnel in the area to secure people and to avoid untoward incidents. Before entering the main area of the food festival, the frisking and checkpoints will be made, especially on suspicious looking persons.
Barayuga appealed to Ilonggos to celebrate the Dinagyang peacefully.
"Let us enjoy the celebration and as much, we have to avoid trouble," Barayuga said.
Aside from uniformed personnel posted in the main streets, there will also be cops in civilian clothes to watch over the pickpockets and other saboteurs.
K-9 sniffing dogs will go around detecting drugs and explosives. Barayuga warned the food owners to avoid selling bottled soft drinks and avoid using pointed instruments that could be used during trouble.
The food festival will end on Sunday.
To recall, last year's Dinagyang festival was the most peaceful because there were no casualties. Although there were fights that caused minor injuries.
With the deployment of police personnel, Barayuga hopes to have a peaceful Dinagyang celebration.
