8,607 cops, force multipliers to secure Dinagyang Festival 2024

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Thousands of policemen, other members of law enforcement agencies, and civilian force multipliers were mobilized to secure the Dinagyang Festival 2024.

Colonel Joriz Cantoria, Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 deputy regional director for operations, led the send-off ceremony for 8,607 members of the security forces at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on January 25.

Cantoria represented Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, Western Visayas police chief.

The security forces are composed of members of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Army, and other force multipliers.

They will form part of the Site Task Group (STG) Dinagyang 2024.

The STG personnel include 2,573 members of the PNP, other law enforcement agencies and emergency response team.

On the other hand, police augmentation personnel totaled 1,513 on top of 4,521 force multipliers.

The STG has five task units: SSTG Command and Control, SSTG Security, SSTG Peace and Order, SSTG Emergency Preparedness and Response, and SSTG Traffic Management and Public Safety.

They will be deployed from January 25 to 28.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, PRO-6 Regional Operations Division, ROD chief, presented the forces and resources that would be made available for the festival.

Delivering Villalfor’s message, Cantoria said he urged police personnel to embody the spirit of community service and cooperation as they work alongside their fellow law enforcement agencies and emergency response teams.

“As we deploy our personnel, vehicles, and equipment to safeguard this celebration, we do so with the understanding that our collective efforts play a pivotal role in fostering a secure and joyful environment for all participants and spectators,” he said.

He said that their meticulously planned security measures and coordinated response strategies reflect the dedication and professionalism that define the PNP.

He also told them to always prioritize the safety of the public and their fellow officers.

Just like Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival and Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan Festival, the Dinagyang will also adopt the Major Event Security Framework (MESF) and Whole-of Nation Strategy for its security preparations.