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Cops alert for two festivals in Panay

By Jeehan V. Fernandez

The cops in the region will be kept busy and posted for the two successive major festivals in Panay Island starting this weekend.

Police Regional Office (PRO-6) director Chief Supt. George L. Aliño stressed that operation plans have been put in place for the Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan on January 15-16 and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City on January 22-23.

Aliño pointed out that security measures have been readied with the utilization of most personnel of Aklan Provincial Police Office headed by Supt. Odelardo Magayanes and the requested augmentation force of 80 PNP men form the Regional Mobile Group (RMG).

“The PRO-6 will also be deploying SWAT teams in the area,” Aliño said adding that K-9 bomb-sniffing dogs will be positioned in the crowded vicinity. He added, the security will be supported by platoon-size members of the Philippine Army.

Meanwhile, Aliño cited that in Iloilo City , the police will also be enforcing the capability of K-9 dogs. He noted that safety procedure will be executed by the members of SWAT team, Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) and the 275 police trainees who will form part of the buffer crowd.

Aliño said the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) personnel will be joined by members of Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and Regional Headquarters to provide tight security during the celebration.

Thousands of revelers, both foreign and local, are expected to hit the streets of Kalibo and Iloilo City to join the highlights of the two popular festivals on Jan. 15-16 and Jan. 22-23, respectively.