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[av_heading heading=’NO PHONE SIGNAL? Cellphone jamming during Dinagyang mulled ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” 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 – As a security preemptive measure for the 2018 edition of the Dinagyang Festival, telecommunications companies may be asked again to shut down their mobile phone services during the Kasadyahan cultural contest on Jan. 27 and the ati-ati tribes competition on Jan. 28.
Ensuring public safety for this year’s Dinagyang is “very challenging”, according to Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines, spokesperson of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
For one, President Rodrigo Duterte has been invited and keeping him safe would be a priority, she explained.
The ICPO also expects a record crowd this year because Dinagyang is marking its 50th anniversary.
As a security precaution during the 2017 Dinagyang, telecommunications companies were ordered to suspend their mobile phone services.
According to the National Telecommunications Commission and Philippine National Police that issued the order, terrorists could detonate improvised explosive devices using cell phone signals.
Sangrines said a gun ban may also be imposed.
“We have to do so many security adjustments…we really need more men,” she added.
ICPO would be seeking assistance from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Command and other law enforcement agencies.
“In previous Dinagyang editions, we focused on the City Proper. But Iloilo City is progressing and there are other areas where revelers now converge, especially in Mandurriao district. Medyo malapad-lapad aton pagabantayan sa Mandurriao kay ara dira ang sentro sang negosyo, entertainment and events,” said Sangrines.
Two giant telecoms, Smart and Globe, shut down their mobile phone services in select areas during last year’s Dinagyang.
For Smart (and sister mobile phone operators TNT and Sun), mobile phone services were specifically be suspended at Plaza Libertad, Freedom Grandstand, Iloilo provincial capitol; Mabini, Quezon, Iznart, and Rizal streets, Iloilo Business Park, Esplanade 1 and 2, The Atria, Plazuela de Iloilo and SM City Iloilo.
For Globe, mobile phone signals were blocked in the City Proper, Mandurriao, Jaro, La Paz, and Bo. Obrero.
Calls, text messaging and mobile data services were unavailable. These resumed only after the performances of the Kasadyahan the ati-ati tribes.
The temporary shutdown of mobile phone services for security reasons is not new. This is also observed by the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and the feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo, Manila./PN
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