ICPO banks on DICT approval of Dinagyang signal jamming

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Plans to implement signal jamming in key Dinagyang Festival venues remain uncertain as the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) awaits approval from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

ICPO officer in charge Police Col. Wilbert Parilla said on Jan. 16 that the request for signal jamming is still pending and will depend on the DICT’s technical capacity.

Parilla said the proposed signal jamming would apply only to specific areas where major Dinagyang Festival activities will be held.

The Iloilo City government and the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. have opposed a citywide signal shutdown, citing the risk of disrupting communications not only in Iloilo City but also in nearby towns and the province of Guimaras.

Signal jamming creates a denial-of-service effect in limited zones, such as festival routes, without completely shutting down telecommunications infrastructure.

The approach requires specialized equipment to block signals from reaching devices within a confined area.

A signal shutdown, by contrast, requires coordination with telecommunications providers to disable cell towers, reduce bandwidth, or halt services in a defined area.

“Even without the suspension or approval of our request for signal jamming, we assure the public that we have prepared adequate security measures,” Parilla said.

“We have more or less 7,500 personnel that secured the event in the past, and I think that would be sufficient to secure the Dinagyang Festival and ensure the safety of those who will join the festivities,” he added.

For this year’s festival, ICPO said the Dinagyang Sub-Site Task Group will deploy 4,612 personnel.

The deployment includes 2,167 uniformed personnel from the security task force and 2,087 force multipliers composed of civilian volunteer groups and police interns.

ICPO has also requested an additional 2,263 uniformed personnel for augmentation, although the request has yet to be approved.

A send-off ceremony for security personnel is scheduled for Jan. 21.

For border control, ICPO has sought augmentation from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion to secure 10 outer perimeter points around Iloilo City.

On bomb threats, Parilla said police are prepared through the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, which has the capability to trace the source of threats.

“During actual inspections, K9 units will be utilized, and at the start of activities, all venues and events will be checked by K9 units,” he said.

Parilla said available K9 units are sufficient and will be further augmented by the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The annual Dinagyang Festival, held every January in Iloilo City, draws large crowds for its street-dancing competitions and religious activities honoring the Santo Niño, prompting authorities to implement heightened security measures.