Dinagyang Frenzy: No backpacks, no bottled drinks too, police informs public
Police are on full alert this weekend as Iloilo City holds the two-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival.
Some 6,000 contingents composed of cops, barangay tanods, ROTC cadets and other volunteers will help secure the participants and spectators of the city's grandest festivity.
Meanwhile, police warned Dinagyang revelers to keep watch of their valuables as certain individuals are out to take opportunity of the crowdedness in the city.
At least 30 visiting gang members of crime groups involved in snatching and pickpockets are believed to have arrived in Iloilo City to prey on tourists and guests of the Dinagyang Festival.
Radio reports got the confirmation from Chief Inspector Musa Amiong of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) Intelligence Section as The News Today (TNT) learned that city cops have since devised even more extensive security measures for the two-day event.
As such, massive police visibility will once again be observed in major city streets particularly in areas where the influx of festival guests are usually seen. Police officers will be fielded both as uniformed personnel and in civilian clothing as augmentation forces from provincial counterparts were further ordered.
The 'guest' thugs came from outside Iloilo and usually make their rounds in cities and provinces with big festivities.
The ICPO police force are divided into seven "sectors" for deployment with "Sector 1" detailed in the Plaza Libertad area and waterfront barangays. Forces here will primarily come from the Iloilo City Hall Police Detachment and Iloilo City Mobile Group (ICMG).
"Sector 2" will keep watch of the Freedom Grandstand, the main performance area where most of the dignitaries are expected to stay.
Other "sectors" will be evenly distributed to other stages or performance areas.
And as an added precaution, the public was warned against bringing of backpacks, bottled drinks, alcoholic beverages and barbecue sticks with police under orders to bar entry of anyone in possession of such.