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[av_heading heading=’ICPO to double Dinagyang 2018 security ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – In January this year, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) mobilized some 5,000 police personnel to keep the Dinagyang Festival peaceful and orderly.
Next year, the security mobilization will double, according to Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines, ICPO spokesperson.
“We expect numbers of tourists and guests to increase. Dinagyang is celebrating its 50th anniversary,” said Sangrines.
The 2018 Dinagyang highlights are on Jan. 27 to 28.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been invited to grace the festival. As of this writing, however, there is no confirmation yet from Malacañang if the country’s chief executive has accepted the invitation.
This year’s edition of Dinagyang achieved a security milestone – “zero crime incidents,” according to Sangrines.
“We want to assure all Ilonggos, visitors and dignitaries that the 2018 celebration will just be as safe, peaceful and drug-free. We have enough personnel,” she stressed.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will help secure the city, Sangrines added.
“Expect checkpoints, enhanced police visibility and strict enforcement of city ordinances prohibiting smoking and urinating in public, littering, and the curfew for minors, among others,” she said.
On Nov. 17, ICPO kicked off its security preparations for the 2018 Dinagyang Festival with an exercise simulating a bomb attack.
The exercise was conducted at Plaza Libertad where participating Dinagyang ati-ati and Kasadyahan contesting tribes would be assembling for a parade prior to their performances on Jan. 27 and 28.
The Bureau of Fire Protection and the Iloilo City Emergency Response medical team joined the police in the exercise.
Policemen rescued “bomb victims” and/or “detonated” explosives.
The annual Dinagyang Festival is a constant security challenge. It attracts thousands of tourists.
For the 2017 Dinagyang, telecommunication companies suspended mobile phone services as a preemptive measure against bomb attacks.
Terrorists could be detonating improvised explosive devices using cell phone signals, according to Sangrines./PN
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