ILOILO CITY: A total of 8,607 police personnel and force multipliers have been mobilized for the Dinagyang Festival here on January 27 and 28.

The security personnel from different law enforcement agencies were formally deployed during a send-off ceremony at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on Thursday afternoon, January 25.

"The Philippine National Police (PNP) is fully prepared to fulfill our duty to maintain peace, order, and public safety. The success of this festival relies on the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders — the PNP, LGU, and the community," said Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) chief BGen. Sidney Villaflor.

His message was delivered by PRO-6 operations division chief Col. Gilbert Gorero.

The security forces include personnel from the PNP, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Army, and City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office.

They will be part of the Site Task Group (STG) Dinagyang 2024 and will be detailed into five task units: command and control, security and peace and order, emergency preparedness and response, and traffic management and public safety.

Of the total personnel deployed, 2,573 are members of the PNP, 4,521 are force multipliers and 1,513 are police augmentation personnel coming from other city and provincial police offices.

The Iloilo City Police Office is targeting "zero major crime" incidents during this year's Dinagyang revelry despite the rejection of its request to jam cellular phone signals in specific areas of the city.

Apart from the expected 200,000 spectators to flock to this city during the weekend, local and international dignitaries are set to attend and experience the Dinagyang festivities.

Among the confirmed visitors are representatives from Guam and ambassadors of the country, such as Dr. Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke from Germany, Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino from Malaysia, and Evan Garcia from Norway.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not be participating in the celebration, and it remains uncertain whether First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Marcos will be present at the event.

Out of the 24 senators, only Sen. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros and Sen. Maria Imelda Josefa "Imee" Marcos have confirmed their attendance thus far.

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