The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) is now focusing on securing two major festivals in the region — Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan and Iloilo City’s Dinagyang — after the holiday season concluded without major incidents.

PRO-6 director Brigadier General Jack Wanky announced during a press briefing that security plans for both events have been finalized.

Ati-Atihan is set for January 19, while Dinagyang runs from January 24 to 26.

For the Ati-Atihan, 1,700 police personnel will be deployed to Kalibo, with additional forces on standby if needed to ensure a safe and festive celebration.

Preparations for the Dinagyang Festival are also underway, with ongoing meetings between the Iloilo City Police Office and festival organizers.

“Those from Kalibo will be fielded in Iloilo City for the Dinagyang Festival. We are expecting VIPs [very important persons] who will be coming over,” Wanky said, adding that they initially planned to deploy 2,000 security personnel.

He added that discussions with festival organizers on the potential use of signal jamming are still ongoing.

“With signal jamming, we are preventing bombs from being detonated by cellular phones. But if we can secure the area and assess that there is no need for it, we will not push through with the signal jam. That is inconvenient to revelers,” he added.

Wanky said they continuously meet with other law enforcement agencies on the matter.

If they assess that it is not necessary, they might as well recommend the option of no signal jamming. (PNA)