Security tightened for Dinagyang 2020

ILOILO. Police Lieutenant Mercylin Duero of the Iloilo City Police Office during a press conference shows that backpacks are prohibited in the activity area where Dinagyang tribes will perform. (Leo Solinap)
ILOILO. Police Lieutenant Mercylin Duero of the Iloilo City Police Office during a press conference shows that backpacks are prohibited in the activity area where Dinagyang tribes will perform. (Leo Solinap)

THOUSANDS of police personnel have been deployed across Iloilo City, as the city's Dinagyang Festival is expected to draw in over a million visitors from different places in the country and abroad.

Police Lieutenant Mercylin Duero of the Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) said in a press conference that security for the festival is already in place.

Highlights of the celebration will be held on January 24 to 25, 2020.

"We have organized a task group Dinagyang headed by Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas Director Police General Rene Pamuspusan as the task group commander and Iloilo City Police Office Director Colonel Martin Defensor as the site commander," Duero said.

Around 1,887 police personnel, officers and non-commission officers from the PRO-Western Visayas will augment the Iloilo City police.

A total of 2,292 policemen will act as security personnel during the duration of the Dinagyang 2020.

There are also 2,000 police multipliers who will be dispatched to the activity area and around the city streets where contingents will pass. These police multipliers will come from members of the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Army.

Gun ban will also be implemented on January 22 to 27. This includes the suspension of Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR).

Duero also discouraged visitors and spectators from carrying backpacks especially in the judging area, saying they will not be barred from entering the four activity areas.

"However, this may be a case-to-case basis upon inspection especially on photographers who carry photo equipment on their backpacks," Duero said.

Other bags, including shoulder bags, fanny packs and hip packs, will still be inspected for prohibited items.

Drinking alcoholic drinks along sidewalks and streets are prohibited since there are specific kiosks for drinking purposes assigned by the Iloilo Festival Foundation Inc. (Iffi).

The Iffi is in-charge of all the Iloilo City festivals, including the Dinagyang 2020.

Carrying glass bottles, ice picks, knife buckles and other pointed objects on the streets are also prohibited particularly during the street dancing.

Duero also said that curfew on minors is still being implemented, since it is a city ordinance. However, if a minor is accompanied by a guardian or parents, they will be allowed to stay during curfew hours.

"Those persons suspected to be minors will be asked for identification cards to validate their age. If they don't have any identification cards, we will call their parents," Duero noted.

Iloilo City Ordinance 2011-676 or "An ordinance amending the provisions of Regulation Ordinance No. 2006-020 (Comprehensive ordinance prohibiting minors to wander, saunter or loiter in any place)," specifies that curfew time is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Police will distribute fliers in hotels and other establishments about the security being implemented, as well as information about items that are prohibited during the festival.

"Iloilo City is known internationally when it comes to Dinagyang. Therefore, we have a contingency plan for probable scenarios or incidents that will happen. These incidents include bombing, assassination and hostage-taking," Duero said.

She said the objective of the police this year is to maintain zero major incidents from occurring and to minimize crimes against property and person. (SunStar Philippines)

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