BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is carefully reconsidering the implementation of mobile phone signal jamming for the Dinagyang Festival 2025 in this city.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director, announced that the decision would be based on ongoing evaluations and consultations with other law enforcement agencies.
“If security assessments show that signal jamming is unnecessary, we will not recommend it,” Wanky stated during a recent press briefing.
He added that ensuring public safety without disrupting communication for festival-goers remains a key priority.
Signal jamming, in coordination with telecommunications companies, has been considered in the past to bolster security but has faced criticism for inconveniencing attendees by disabling mobile communication.
Wanky acknowledged these concerns, emphasizing that the PRO-6 aims to balance security measures with the overall festival experience.
Preparations for the Dinagyang Festival include deploying over 2,000 police officers across the city.
Wanky disclosed that additional reinforcements might be sent after security operations conclude for the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, where 1,700 officers have already been deployed.
Ongoing consultations and coordination with various agencies are finalizing the security plans for one of Iloilo City’s biggest annual events./PN
