More than 80 police officers have been deployed throughout the Municipality of Lagawe during this year’s Gotad ad Ifugao Festival from June 2-18, as an initiative effort to ensure peace, safety, and order of the event.
The deployment aimed to prevent criminal acts such as theft, physical assault, and sexual harassment. Aside from this, it focused on ensuring smooth traffic flow, given the expected huge number of visitors and vehicles.
In addition, the barangay tanods are also working closely with the police force to help maintain peace and security throughout the festival. Their presence provided community-based assistance, ensuring that the people at the festival can fully enjoy the celebration without worry.
Unity and Partnership Sharing the Same Goal
The police force included more than 40 officers from the municipality of Lagawe, along with two teams from the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) and two police officers from each of the other municipalities in Ifugao. They follow the buddy-buddy system, ensuring that officers are paired for enhanced safety, accountability, and coordination throughout the deployment.
The joint deployment demonstrates the unity of the Philippine National Police (PNP) across the province, coming together with a common goal to safeguard the public and uphold peace throughout the Gotad celebration.
In addition, the PNP also coordinated with the Municipal Anti-Criminality and General Services (MAGS) of Lagawe and from other municipalities, along with barangay tanods.
This collaboration ensures that both law enforcement officers and community volunteers work together to protect residents and visitors.
Strengthening Their Mission
The police officers and barangay tanods are deployed in strategic places or their beat assignments including the major road intersections, market area, plaza, outposts, and municipal booths.
“Iti priority mi nga pulis ket talaga nga diyay misyon na—protect lives and properties, implementation dagiti batas ken ordinances. Ken preventive tayo, saan tayo nga urayen nga ada ti mapasamak santo tayo nga isolve (Our priority as police officers is actually our mission—to protect lives and properties, implementing the laws and ordinances. We are more on the preventive measure; we do not wait for something to happen before we act),” said PMSgt. Bal Dulnuan from Lagawe Municipal Police Station.
Dulnuan highlighted that the PNP’s work is focused on their mission as it is centered on prevention, not just response.
Community Cooperation Boosts Security
PCpl Mario Gayumman, a deployed officer from Alfonso Lista, reminded the public, especially the tourists and visitors, to follow local regulations and ordinances.
“Dawaten tayo nga ag-abide da (tourists and visitors) iti rules ditoy. Patiyen da nu anya ti ordinances ditoy nga lugar (We request that they [tourists and visitors] abide by the rules here. They must heed to the local ordinances of this place. They should follow whatever laws that are implemented),” he said.
The police visibility remains in place until June 18, the closing of Gotad Ad Ifugao 2025.
Through this combined effort, the community is reminded that safety and security are not the responsibility of a single group but a shared commitment. By fostering trust and collaboration between law enforcement and community members, the PNP aimed to create a more harmonious environment where everyone can fully enjoy the festivities of the Gotad celebration.// Venus B. Bayongasan, BSU-DevCom Intern
