BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – As activities related to the annual Dinagyang Festival celebrations kick in, the city police are ensuring that there will be no untoward incidents.
Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) Operations Management Unit chief Lieutenant Colonel Rene Obregon said they hope local and foreign tourists will feel safe in the city as part of the Ilonggo hospitality.
“Ang aton nga (goal) dira nga mahiwat naton ang Dinagyang 2024 nga wala sang mga major incidents nga matabu (kay) ang amon nga objective is zero incidents and maga-enjoy ang tanan nga mga tawo nga magatambong,” Obregon said.
He stressed that an estimated 1,000 police personnel will augment the city police force.
Last year’s edition of the world-class festival was peaceful despite over 70,000 revelers trooping to this city during the two-day highlights on Jan. 21 and 22, 2023.
An 11-day gun ban was enforced from Jan. 13 to 23 as part of the security measures for this year’s festival. Only police personnel were allowed to carry firearms.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Traffic Management Unit (ICTMU) also held its initial orientation for Dinagyang 2024 last week at the Diamond Jubilee Hall with traffic enforcers, police auxiliaries, and green guards.
It was to ensure that all ICTMU personnel were briefed and ready for traffic rerouting plans, road closures, and contingencies.
The unit also asked Ilonggos and revelers to respect and follow traffic rules during the Dinagyang 2024 events. (With a report from RMN Iloilo)/PN