By Perla Lena with reports from Ma. Leonora E. Estanque/PNA
ILOILO CITY — This year’s Dinagyang Festival celebration is one of the most peaceful and orderly cultural and religious celebrations in the country, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said Monday.
“We have again achieved zero major crime incident and reduced the numbers of street crimes,” Supt. John C. Bulalacao, PRO-6 regional director, said in his message during the Final Inter-Agency Critique Session and Awarding Ceremony on the Security and Safety Deployment for Dinagyang 2019.
As reported by Senior Supt. Martin Defensor Jr., city director for Iloilo City Police and the Special Tactics Group (STG) Commander for Dinagyang 2019, there were only five street crimes recorded in the three-day highlights of the festival.
According to Bulalacao, tourists, guests, merry-makers and pilgrims enjoyed the series of activities during the festival.
“The presence of the security forces in all areas of convergence served as a testament that we’re on the top of the situation,” he added.
Bulalacao also said that this success sets the tone for what the Police Region 6 should accomplish in the whole year.
Meanwhile, Mayor Joe III Espinosa, in his message, said that it is a job well done for everyone involved in the festival.
“This is the biggest celebration and cannot be compared to any other celebrations in the country,” he said.
“In the past three years, we’ve managed to diminish the crime (rate) and this year is the lowest crime rate recorded,” Mayor Espinosa added.
Since 2017 there were no major crimes recorded during the Dinagyang Festival. In 2017, there were petty crimes recorded and 15 incidents in 2018.
In relation to this event, all the members of the STG who helped in maintaining the security and peace during the Dinagyang Festival were awarded with the Medalya ng Kasanayan.
Also, during the event, the new mini-coaster bus which will serve as the general dispatch for PRO-6 was blessed.
