In a significant show of force, the Task Group Dinagyang has mobilized 7,257 security personnel and volunteers to safeguard the Dinagyang Festival 2025. The deployment was officially launched during a send-off ceremony at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on Wednesday afternoon, January 22, 2025. Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, the director of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO6) and the commander of Task Group Dinagyang, emphasized that the success of the festival would be measured by the absence of major crime incidents, street crimes, and the effectiveness of emergency responses.
Wanky highlighted the comprehensive security strategy, which includes managing traffic, responding to emergencies, and preventing and suppressing crime. Security forces will be strategically placed at critical locations such as hotels, tourist attractions, and public spaces, utilizing beat and mobile patrols, motorcycle units, advanced command posts, and police assistance desks.
The task group will also engage volunteer groups and force multipliers, enhance intelligence operations, strengthen border checkpoints, and maintain ongoing surveillance of security measures. The festival, which is expected to draw a larger crowd following its victory at the Aliwan Festival last year, is anticipated to attract more devotees, spectators, revelers, and tourists.
With the political season in full swing, the event is also expected to see the presence of more notable figures. Col. Kim Legada, the director of the Iloilo City Police Office and the site task group commander, underscored the importance of the augmented personnel in securing the festival. He described the event as a celebration of the rich culture and heritage of the Ilonggo people, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure a safe and harmonious environment for the festival’s spirit to thrive.
The main events of the Dinagyang Festival are scheduled to take place from January 24 to 26, with last year’s festival attracting approximately 500,000 attendees.