Iloilo City Police Station 1 conducted a simulation exercise last week at Plaza Libertad, in preparation for security measures to be implemented during the annual Dinagyang Festival, which is set to take place from January 26 to 28, 2018.

In addition, next year’s celebration commemorates the event’s 50th anniversary.

According to Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) operations chief, Police Superintendent Jowel Saliba, the exercise involved a bomb explosion, which was supervised by their explosives and ordnance division.

An exercise involving a hostage-taking was earlier conducted by the La Paz Police Station.

Last week, Mayor Jose Espinosa III created the Iloilo City Festival Committee (ICFC).

The committee will work with the City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) in planning and coordinating with all concerned sectors for city events, which presumably includes public safety and law enforcement./PLL, WDJ