By Jennifer P. Rendon
The PNP will suspend the permit to carry firearm outside of residence (PTCFOR) as part of security measures for five major events in Iloilo City.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 announced the suspension after it was approved by PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa.
Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, PRO-6 director, recommended the suspension.
Based on the memorandum from the PNP national headquarters, the PTCFOR suspension will take effect on the following events:
- Dinagyang Festival 2020 – Jan. 22 to 27, 2020
- Chinese New Year – Jan. 25 to 28, 2020
- Jaro Fiesta – Jan. 31 – Feb. 3, 2020
- Paraw Regatta – Feb. 20 to 24, 2020
- Iloilo Charter Day – Aug. 23 to 26, 2020
Once the PTCFOR is suspended, “only members of the PNP, AFP, and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) who are performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms.”
The memorandum stated that the move “is part of the security preparations to ensured that the events or festivities will be free from firearm-related incidents and to ensure the safety of the populace, as well as the local and foreign tourists.”
The directive shall be implemented in consonance with the concept of Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) in close coordination with the AFP, other LEAs, and the local government unit.
To bolster the security preparations for the Dinagyang Festival, Police Colonel Martin Defensor Jr., Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director, said the ICPO will consistently implement checkpoint operations.
Violators will be charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
Also, 2,298 uniformed personnel will be deployed before, during, and after the DInagyang festivities.
The force is comprised of organic personnel from ICPO, augmentation forces from the Police Regional Office (PRO)\-6 and the PNP National Support Units (NSUs), and from the Philippine Army.
Thousands of force multipliers will be deployed as crowd control forces.
Defensor said they asked for 3,000 individuals but only 2,100 persons gave their commitment as of January 15.
Uniformed personnel and force multipliers will be divided into 11 sectors.
Sectors 1 to 6 are all in City Proper district, where the judging areas are located.
Sectors 7 to 11 refer to areas where other Dinagyang-related celebrations and events will be held.
Just like in previous year, Defensor said they will seal Sectors 1 to 6 by imposing a single entry. Revellers entering the area will also be frisked.
Meanwhile, Defensor said they would again activate STG (Site Task Group) Dinagyang 2020 to ensure overall safety and security.
Just like in the two past Dinagyang events, the ICPO will employ the MESF (Major event security framework) template like the one used during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings.
Under the plan, STG Dinagyang will have to sustain intelligence monitoring of threat groups; conduct police operations against threat groups; render public safety services and ensure deployment of security personnel in all places of activities; and do continuous liaison and coordination with other concerned agencies.
Aside from checkpoints, Defensor said they would do heightened police visibility through mobile and foot patrols.
