Monday, January 26, 2004
Dinagyang peaceful as crowd swells five times
By Ruby P. Silubrico and Jay Dooma Balnig

* Senior Supt. Policarpio Segubre, city police director, mainly attributes the peaceful celebration to the deployment of about 10,000 policemen

* Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta says the renovation and expansion of the Freedom Grandstand led to the increase of Dinagyang patrons this year

POLICE said the Dinagyang festival was "generally peaceful" even as the Department of Tourism said the crowd swelled five times this year compared to last year.

Senior Supt. Policarpio Segubre, city police director, said he is happy for the peaceful two-day festivity.

Although several complained about being victimized by pickpockets. Some were arrested for possessing deadly weapons. No one, however, was caught for possessing unlicensed guns as of 7 p.m. last night.

But three were reported wounded.

He added that the strict implementation of curfew for minors on Saturday and Sunday nights and the conduct of checkpoints in performance areas also contributed to the peace and order.

ROTC cadets from various schools augmented the policemen for crowd control while Coast Guard personnel assisted the police in securing the port areas.

Missing cellphones

Nine persons complained they lost their cellphones while taking part in the Dinagyang celebration.

Complainants are Vanessa Aguilar of San Joaquin; Jose Baldoza of Arevalo, Iloilo City; Jessie Palmes of Dueñas; Arnel Mota of Jaro, Iloilo City; Virginia Rolando of Timawa, Molo, Iloilo City; Jinah Sinoy of General Santos City; Stanley Jun Diopita of Don Esteban, La Paz, Iloilo City and Sophia Panizales of Sta. Monica-Blumentritt, City Proper.

Five times more

Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said the renovation and expansion of the Freedom Grandstand led to the increase of Dinagyang patrons for up to five times this year.

Hotels and resorts were fully-occupied by both local and foreign tourists.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas applauded the Dinagyang Foundation Inc. for steering this year's festival towards success.

Contesting tribes and number of activities also

An estimated 50,000 people gathered during Saturday and Sunday at the Freedom Grandstand alone.
THE QUEEN AND HER COURT. Miss Dinagyang 2004 Kimberly Ann Custodio (middle) with first runner up Maylene Haresco (right) and second runner up Rachelle Ann Villareal (left).