Police ready security preparations for 2010 Dinagyang
Police are readying security preparations to ensure the peaceful celebration of the 2010 Dinagyang Festival by deploying close to 4,000 uniformed police personnel, cops from the 6th Regional Mobile Group, police auxiliaries, barangay tanods, police interns and NSTP students.
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Sr. Supt. Melvin Mongcal said a total of 3,975 cops and force multipliers would beef up the security preparation during the festival. The number of policemen and force multipliers would be assigned in nine sectors or priority areas identified by the city police.
The security forces would be around during the Kasadyahan and Dinagyang tribes contest on Jan.23 and Jan. 24, respectively. There are other activities in-line with the yearly festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
Mongcal said they have assumptions of disruptions from any group. The police have to prepare security plans rather than neglecting the whole thing. They are eyeing three possible groups who might disrupt the festival. However, the city director would not rather discuss them as they are mere assumptions.
Mongcal said bulk of the force would be assigned in the crowd control. In the crowd control alone, a total of 3,582 policemen and force multipliers would take charge in the four staging areas.
The force to be assigned in the crowd control would be augmented by some 100 intelligence police operatives. The security personnel assigned in the crowd control and covert operations would supplement the police personnel assigned to VIPs such as the foreign dignitaries, said Mongcal.
In yesterday’s media briefing, Mongcal clarified that non-uniformed police personnel assigned in covert operations during the festivity could not carry their guns because of the total gun ban. Non-uniformed police personnel would be protected by uniformed cops.
Mongcal added they have already “perfected” the Dinagyang security plan and its implementation. The security plans include the crowd control, posting of intelligence operatives, creation of an investigation team, VIP team, medical team, traffic team and stage security team.
Police personnel would also be assigned in 10 hotels in the city to monitor and same time protect the occupants. Each hotel is entitled to have two police security detail.
A team from the Explosive Ordnance Team, Special Weapons and Tactics team, Scene of the Crime Operatives, firefighting team and Civil Disturbance Team also comprised the security group. K-9 dogs would also be around to help the group determine the presence of explosives or bombs, added Mongcal.
The security preparations have four objectives. These are to check the presence of bombs, check the persons whether they are carrying firearms or any deadly weapon, properly secure the guests especially VIP and make traffic arrangement, said Mongcal.
