ILOILO City – The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has approved the request of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) for the temporary suspension of mobile phone services during the two-day highlights of the Dinagyang Festival.
The signal jamming would affect calls, text messaging and mobile data during the Kasadyahan cultural contest on Jan. 26 and during the ati-ati tribes competition on Jan. 27.
NTC set the suspension of mobile phone services from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. in certain areas, according to Senior Superintendent Martin Defensor, ICPO director.
For security reasons, however, Defensor declined to identify these areas for now.
This would be the third time cell phone signal jamming would be observed during the Dinagyang following similar security measures in 2017 and 2018.
Last year, the temporary shutdown of mobile phone services covered the City Proper, and specifically within the 3-km radius of the judging areas for Dinagyang tribe performances.
Explaining the phone signal jamming, NTC said terrorists could detonate improvised explosives devices using cell phone signals.
According to Defensor, no security threats to the Dinagyang have so far been monitored.
The ICPO has been coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure the festival, he said.
Intelligence operatives were mobilized as early as last week, said Defensor.
“During the merrymaking nights on Jan. 26 and 27, we will double the number of our personnel doon sa mga kiosks kon sa diin naga-ilininom,” said Defensor.
Revellers would be prohibited from bringing bladed, sharp and pointed objects which could be used to harm others, he added.
Boosting the ICPO’s Dinagyang security measures is the election gun ban that started on Jan. 13 and would end on June 2. Carrying or transporting firearms, explosives or other deadly weapons is prohibited.
During the gun ban period, only policemen and personnel of other law enforcement agencies performing official duties are allowed to carry firearms. But they must be in their complete uniforms.
Around 10,000 security officers – policemen, soldiers and force multipliers – would be keeping the Dinagyang Festival peaceful and orderly, according to the ICPO.
The force multipliers would include Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets from various colleges and universities and village watchmen, among others./PN
