BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has rejected the request from the chief of Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, for a temporary mobile signal shutdown during the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival on Jan. 27 to 28.
“It has become apparent that the shutdown of cellular network services in certain areas is not feasible due to the lack of necessary equipment,” stated the report from the committee on police, public safety, order, and security, chaired by Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna.
The City Council adopted the committee’s report, which will be provided to PRO-6.
Villaflor had argued that the signal shutdown during the festivities was a critical measure to preempt any terrorist incidents using improvised explosive devices and to prevent a repeat of the bombing that occurred in Marawi City in December 2023.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has opposed the proposed signal jamming by the police, emphasizing that the police and military will instead enhance security measures.
Treñas recalled how the mobile phone signal jamming by telecommunications networks during the January 2023 Dinagyang Festival affected not just Iloilo City but also neighboring towns in Iloilo province.
This disruption led to significant public complaints, particularly from individuals unable to stream the Dinagyang tribes’ competition on social media due to poor signal reception.
Treñas assured that there is no cause for concern regarding the security of the festival, stating that routine inspections and frisking by the police would ensure the safety of attendees. Councilor Cabaluna, in his committee report, mentioned that the signal shutdown of all cellular network services would negatively impact business, livelihood, and emergency responses, including public safety and security.
“We implore the PNP to implement heightened intelligence operations, intensified border and port monitoring, and all other stringent and effective measures to ensure the security, safety, and well-being of residents, tourists, and guests, rather than shutting down the signal,” the committee report stated.
Cabaluna expressed support for the police’s plan to request permission to procure a signal jamming device capable of disrupting cellular network services in specific high-risk areas during the festivities.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure a safe and peaceful festival./PN
