The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has released a list of prohibited items and activities for the 2025 Dinagyang Festival, following last year’s guidelines.
The ban on firearms and deadly weapons, including barbecue sticks, tops the “Dinagyang Don’ts.”
Iloilo City Police Chief Colonel Kim Legada emphasized that carrying firearms violates both the festival rules and Executive Order No. 167, which Mayor Jerry Treñas issued.
Offenders could face charges under Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) and the election gun ban, which runs from January 12 to June 11, 2025, Legada said.
Penalties include imprisonment (1 to 6 years), permanent disqualification from public office, loss of voting rights, and deportation for foreigners after serving their sentence.
Executive Order No. 167 also bans carrying glass bottles, cans, or liquor containers in public areas during the festival, and smoking is allowed only in designated areas. The ICPO prohibits drone flying unless authorized by the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc. (IFFI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The ICPO also bans lighting firecrackers or pyrotechnics, carrying or using backpacks within the festival area (subject to inspection by the Festival Security Committee), making prank jokes that could cause public panic, and conducting political rallies or anti-government protests disguised as festival activities.
Bayan reacts
However, Bayan Panay earlier criticized the mayor’s ban on political speeches during the festival in a statement. They called on Ilonggos and Filipinos to defend their democratic rights, stating, “Dinagyang is a celebration of the people, and it should remain open to the voices of the masses, not just those in power.”
Bayan Panay argued that the mayor’s executive order undermines the festival’s democratic value by banning political slogans, protest rallies, and the involvement of progressive groups addressing issues that affect ordinary Filipinos.
The group questioned why Mayor Treñas opposes these voices, suggesting his administration’s complicity in worsening the situation of jeepney drivers, operators, and public market vendors impacted by anti-poor policies.
Bayan Panay also accused Treñas of hypocrisy for allowing politicians to attend the event ahead of the elections without measures to prevent candidates from exploiting the festival for political gain.
“This is not neutrality, but a brazen suppression of dissenting voices while favoring the powerful,” they said.
“Meanwhile, private events and government-led activities that blocked roads were approved. This double standard exposes the mayor’s bias,” Bayan Panay added.
Amid the controversy, Legada urged the public to cooperate, emphasizing that these measures aim to ensure safety and security. The ICPO will also enforce Regulation Ordinance No. 2004-149, which prohibits littering, urinating, spitting, and defecating in public spaces like streets, parks, and playgrounds.
Legada asked for the public’s understanding as the ICPO implements stricter frisking measures in designated Pedestrian Security Areas (PSA) during the Dinagyang celebration.
To maintain order, the ICPO also said that it has set up 14 Pedestrian Security Areas across festival venues.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.