‘ONLY WHEN NEEDED’: PRO-6 Open to Signal Jamming for Dinagyang 2025

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) has yet to decide whether to recommend signal jamming or a signal shutdown during the Dinagyang Festival 2025.

Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, said the decision will depend on consultations with other law enforcement agencies and the intelligence community.

“On the part of the PNP, we will only recommend it if needed,” Wanky said, adding that the recommendation would rely on the verified threat level.

“We need to assess the prevailing threat through continuous monitoring and consultation with other agencies,” he added.

Wanky clarified that signal jamming is typically implemented to prevent terrorists or criminals from detonating bombs using mobile phones. However, he noted that if authorities can secure the area, they would advocate for a “no signal jamming” Dinagyang celebration.

Last year, the Iloilo City government rejected the idea of a signal shutdown during the festival.

Wanky also mentioned that while three bomb threats were reported in Iloilo City late last year, they were hoaxes. Authorities thoroughly addressed the incidents to ensure public safety.

ICPO’s Proposal

In a letter dated Nov. 4, 2024, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) proposed a signal shutdown as part of its security preparations for Dinagyang 2025.

Colonel Kim Legada, ICPO director, explained that the recommendation aligns with the PNP’s Major Event Security Framework (MESF) and aims to pre-empt any attempts to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) triggered by mobile phones.

“This is to ensure the safety of everyone expected to join the celebration,” Legada said.

He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the city government and event organizers. “We will act accordingly based on their decision,” he added.

PRO-6 plans to deploy around 2,000 police personnel for Dinagyang 2025.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has indicated that the city will not adopt signal jamming for this year’s festival.