Over 4,000 PNP personnel,

force multipliers to be deployed

Police Lieutenant Mercylin Duero of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) operations division confirmed 2,292 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel and around 2,000 force multipliers will be deployed across the city for the Dinagyang Festival highlights on January 25 and 26.
In addition, she said Task Force Dinagyang will be created in order to lead security enforcement.
The ICPO also noted, permits to carry firearms outside of one’s residence will likely be suspended during the festival once PNP headquarters approves the request made by the city police. Once in effect, it will likely begin two days before the highlights and run until a day after the event.
Duero also reminded revelers that carrying backpacks, bottles, along with ice picks and other pointed objects are prohibited during Dinagyang.
Earlier this week, Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director, Police Colonel Roland Vilela, said security will be stepped up ahead for the annual festival, including checkpoint and chokepoint operations being doubled in an effort to intercept contraband and deter movements of criminals.
“We support the goal of zero major crime incidents during the Dinagyang Festival and establishing strong security at the boundaries of Iloilo province and city,” he said. “Securing the Dinagyang Festival is our shared responsibility.”/WDJ