Security measures for Dinagyang '08 in place
Security preparations for the Dinagyang festival is already in place with the deployment of more than 600 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Iloilo City Police Office chief Sr. Supt. Wesley Barayuga said they have already came up with a security plan to secure the visitors and the revelers during the activity. Uniformed and non-uniformed police and army would be deployed in four judging areas.
Thousands of spectators are expected to join the celebration. Apart from the foreign dignitaries, national officials, senators and mayors from the different parts of the country will witness the yearly celebration in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
Barangay tanods and students who are undergoing National Service Training Program (NSTP) and ROTC will also join the police and army especially in the crowd control. Some 500 students and 200 communicators will extend help during the celebration, said Barayuga.
Other than the police and army personnel, seven K-9 dogs would be positioned in the four judging areas. The sniffing dogs will help the authorities in sensing danger in judging areas. The dogs would be very helpful in determining the presence of bombs, explosives or even drugs.
There would be also checkpoints in entry and exits in the city and "random frisking" of people to prevent Dinagyang related incidents. Police would also center their action on the presence of snatchers, pickpockets and hold-uppers who might take advantage of the situation, said Barayuga.
In previous years, police rounded up several suspected snatchers such as the "local boys" to prevent them from committing any crime while in the crowd. They are released before the detention hours lapsed. Those who were temporarily detained at the city police detention cell include suspects from Bacolod and Cebu.
As to date, Barayuga said they have not yet monitored the presence of snatchers from other parts of the region. Though, they are in constant contact with all operatives in the region.
Moreover, police would only allow sound system operators to operate until 10 in the evening. Last year, they asked for an extension of 30 minutes and police yielded to their request since there were no unruly persons in their areas, said Barayuga.
In yesterday's briefing, police also made an appeal to kiosk owners not to display any bottles in the customers' table. Drunk customers used bottles to hit and harm other people, said Barayuga.