ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities tightened the security measures at the Fort Pilar Shrine and other areas where religious activities will be held in observance of Fiesta Pilar on Wednesday, Oct. 12.
Telecommunication services have been suspended during the Grand Procession up to the Pontifical Mass from 3 p.m. to 7pm on Oct. 12.
“There shall be no signal, direct and/or reflected, coming from any cell sites (base stations) in the areas covered by the festivities,” stated a memo by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The temporary suspension of telecommunication services was on a request by Mayor John Dalipe.
Dalipe also issued an executive order banning the unauthorized flying of drones in line with religious activities at the Fort Pilar Shrine.
Executive Order EO 58 was issued on October 3 during the first day of novena masses for Zamboanga City’s patroness, Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar.
The EO prohibits the unauthorized flying of drones except those from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the City Administrator’s Office.
Aside from this, devotees and visitors are also prohibited from bringing backpacks, wearing bull caps, fedoras, waistcoats, chalecos and hooded or non-hooded jackets.
The prohibitions are among security measures proposed and implemented by the security sector in line with the fiesta.
Police and military personnel are stationed in various areas in the city. Random checkpoints are conducted as part of security measures during the fiesta.