Iligan secures nightlife hubs as curfew is lifted

Civilian security personnel of the Iligan City local government helps direct the flow of traffic in the downtown area. RICHEL V. UMEL

ILIGAN CITY—Security forces in this city are ramping up their presence in key areas after the local government lifted the curfew that was expected to increase the number of people going out for nightlife.

Mayor Frederick Siao lifted the curfew on July 19 based on the recommendation of the City Peace and Order Council.

In lifting the curfew, Siao noted that the National Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 had placed the city under Alert Level 1 due to low cases.

The curfew was imposed in 2020 to curb the spread of the virus. The curfew lasted 12 hours, then seven hours.

As new infections declined toward the fourth quarter of 2021, the curfew was further cut to four hours.

Colonel Charlemagne Batayola, Jr., deputy commander of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the local government lifted the curfew to help spur economic recovery.

Batayola said the measure would bring more people to nightlife hubs, hence the need to secure these places.

He said enough Army personnel were deployed to support the police.

Major Zandrex Panolong, city police spokesperson, said city cop director Colonel Dominador Estrada  had directed them to increase security presence in strategic areas to prevent crimes.

They are particularly watching persons bringing firearms and other concealable weapons.

The local government is also setting up CCTV cameras, providing real-time information to authorities about accidents and crime incidents, Siao said.

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