PNP on alert for Jaro fiesta
Local police declared heightened alert as Jaro district celebrates its annual fiesta today, February 2.
Jaro Police Station commander Chief Insp. Orly Gabinete said that they have already deployed all of their personnel for the celebration.
Further, Jaro PNP will be augmented by policemen from the other five police stations in Iloilo, the Iloilo City Mobile Group, and the ICPO Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) group.
“That’s about 100 personnel on top of our own existing force,” he added.
Further, Gabinete also banked on the help that will be provided by force multipliers like barangay tanods and CVOs.
“We can’t possibly cover all areas of Jaro district. So, tanods are very helpful in our effort of maintaining peace and order,” Gabinete said.
It was gathered that uniformed personnel were also deployed at the Jaro Coliseum where a 7-cock derby, simply known as Candelaria, is going on until today.
The derby, considered as one of the most prestigious and well-attended event among cockfight enthusiasts, started last January 29.
So far, Gabinete said that no major incident was recorded in the duration of the Jaro fiesta celebration.
Also, reports indicated that only one or two persons were found to be paying counterfeit money during the derby.
Further, to ensure the safety of residents, fiesta goers, parishioners, and visitors, the PNP will be placing their forces in plazas and churches.
The police is also on the watch for petty criminals like snatchers and pickpockets.
“We will be conducting frisking inside the Jaro Plaza,” he said.
Jaro Plaza is also the site for the Jaro-Agro Industrial Fair.
Checkpoints will also be conducted in several strategic areas of the metropolis.
Gabinete also warned motorists that the PNP and the Iloilo City Mobile Group (ICMG) will implement closure in several streets for today’s activity.
They will also be implementing rerouting on some thoroughfares in Jaro district, he added.