As the Dinagyang Festival 2026 draws near, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is tightening its security playbook, formally requesting the implementation of signal jamming in selected festival areas to ensure public safety during one of the country’s biggest cultural celebrations.
ICPO spokesperson Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines confirmed the move, saying signal jamming is a critical precautionary measure aimed at protecting both festivalgoers and performers.
While Iloilo City has never recorded a bombing incident linked to Dinagyang, Sangrines stressed that authorities are taking no chances.
“Even if there has been no history of bombing incidents here, we have to be proactive. Security must always be ahead of potential threats,” she said, emphasizing that prevention remains the core of the police strategy.
According to Sangrines, the signal jamming will not be blanket or citywide. Instead, it will be limited to specific, high-risk zones—particularly areas where competing tribes will perform and where large crowds are expected to gather at the same time.
The measure forms part of ICPO’s layered security approach for the festival, which traditionally draws thousands of spectators, performers, and tourists.
Police officials believe that restricting mobile signals in critical areas can help prevent the remote detonation of improvised explosive devices and minimize other technology-assisted threats.
Sangrines reiterated that the public has nothing to fear, assuring that the request for signal jamming is purely for safety and preparedness.
“This is about protecting lives and making sure everyone enjoys Dinagyang safely,” she said.
With weeks to go before the drums roll and the streets come alive, ICPO said it continues to coordinate closely with festival organizers and other security agencies to ensure that the festival’s 2026 edition remains not only vibrant and festive, but also secure from start to finish.IMT
