PIA Press Release
Sunday, January 15, 2012

PRO-6 says security measures for Dinagyang 2012 in place

ILOILO CITY, Jan. 15 (PIA) -- Security measures are in place and there are no terrorist threats as Iloilo City is getting upbeat for Dinagyang 2012 highlights, said Police Regional Office-6 Director Police Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol, Jr.

Querol said PRO-6 is committing the availability of 1,500 policemen for Dinagyang, composed of organic personnel and those coming from the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Negros Occidental.

He said police visibility will be intensified starting January 15 as there is no complacency on their part, expecting that more guests, tourists and crowds will start gathering for the highlight of the event on January 20 to 22.

He also said their security plan includes the creation of a Task Group headed by City Police Director Marietto Valerio, which shall provide area security in every event held starting January 16,

Querol said that although there are no intelligence reports on any possible terrorist attack or grave threat to peace and order, they have designed measures to pre-empt any attempt, which also include preventing entry of illegal drugs.

“We are intensifying checkpoints in all strategic areas, especially the outskirts of the city, and have kept all anti-drug task forces in identified areas in the city,” Querol said in a media interview.

He said part of intensified police visibility is the deployment of mobile patrols, foot patrols, special units and tight operations of intelligence operatives particularly in areas where there are Dinagyang events held, especially at night.

Meanwhile, it can be recalled that President Aquino had earlier instructed security and police officials to work on a plan that will minimize threats to civilian population as well as government installation at all times, which includes during festivals.

PRO-6 Police Chief Supt. Querol said for his part, security plan is in effect and for the holding of the Kalibo Ati-atihan and the Iloilo Dinagyang, they have no monitored any report on terror necessitating the blocking of cellular signals. (JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)