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BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO and GLENDA S. TAYONA
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January 27, 2018
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But NTC orders shutdown of mobile phone services
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has not monitored any threat to the security of Dinagyang Festival guests, performers and the public in general but expect the city to be crawling with cops.
The police is not leaving anything to chance. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved its request, too, for the jamming of mobile phone signals.
Last night, Globe Telecom issued this advisory: “In compliance with NTC’s order, there will be a loss of signal affecting mobile, and Globe At Home LTE and Prepaid WiFi services in some parts of Iloilo City and neighboring areas during the Dinagyang Festival activities on Jan. 27, starting at 6 a.m.”
Today starts the two-day highlights of the festival. Ten contingents are competing in the Kasadyahan regional festival contest.
Signal will be restored “upon the go-signal from NTC,” the Globe advisory further stated.
According to the PRO-6, the temporary shutdown of all mobile phone network services will be for two days and until 2 p.m.
The shutdown covers the City Proper and within 3 km radius of the judging areas for Dinagyang tribe performances.
Explaining the phone signal jamming last year, NTC said terrorists could detonate improvised explosive devices using cell phone signals.
Meanwhile, security personnel will be positioned in 11 areas expected to attract large crowds today and tomorrow – Plaza Libertad; Freedom Grandstand; Plazoleta Gay; Iloilo provincial capitol area; Quezon Street; Ledesma Street near Robinsons Place Iloilo; vicinity of Gaisano Capital and University of Iloilo; Iloilo Esplanade; Plazuela de Iloilo; Iloilo Business Park and City Time Square in Mandurriao district; entry and exit points of Dinagyang performance areas; and boundaries of the metropolis.
“Sama-sama tayo at mag-cooperate to make Dinagyang peaceful and orderly. Sa lahat, come and enjoy the festival. You are safe,” said Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional police director.
The PRO-6 has opened three mobile phone numbers where people can “report immediately suspicious personalities/activities.” These hotlines are the following:
* 09083770194
* 09214628561
* 09985986241
On Thursday, the Iloilo City government and PRO-6 led the send-off ceremony for nearly 5,000 Site Task Group Dinagyang 2018 members.
The security personnel were from Camp Delgado (the PRO-6 headquarters), Iloilo City Police Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire and Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, Criminology students, Iloilo City Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, and barangay tanods, among others.
“After several months of preparations, we are now ready to face the challenge. The main goal is zero crime incidents during the festival,” said Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, city police director.
He reminded revelers not to bring backpacks, guns, sharp and pointed objects that could inflict harm such as knives, and even glass bottles.
Some policemen will be in civilian clothes to catch lawless elements, said Biñas.
He also reminded the public of the Dinagyang gun ban that started on Jan. 23 and would end on the 29th.
Except for law enforcers on duty and in uniform, no one will be allowed to carry firearms.
The city government requested the Philippine National Police to suspend PTCFORs or permits to carry firearms outside of residence.
Tomorrow is the second of the two-day Dinagyang highlights. Ten contingents are competing in the ati-ati tribes competition./PN
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