Gun ban starts today
-A A +ASunday, September 30, 2012
THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will implement the gun ban starting today until October 23, 2012 for the MassKara Festival celebration.
City Police Director Senior Superintendent Ricardo De la Paz said the city police will implement the gun ban city wide and only the members of the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies in agency-prescribed uniforms who are performing official duties will be allowed to carry firearms.
The PNP Central Office earlier approved the request of BCPO for the suspension of Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence during the MassKare Festival celebration.
De la Paz said Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome approved the request of BCPO, which was endorsed by City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the Bacolod City Council.
He said the implementation of the gun ban is within the vicinity of Bacolod City only.
De la Paz claimed about 1,000 Philippine National Police personnel from Police Regional Office will augment BCPO to secure the peace and order of the MassKara Festival, noting that several policemen will be deployed in different areas of Bacolod especially along the downtown area and Bacolod Public Plaza.
He said about nine container vans will also be placed along the public plaza as a temporary detention cell for persons caught creating alarm and scandal during the celebration.
He cited that last year when BCPO implemented the gun ban, no firearm-related incidents were recorded during the said celebration.
The city director said that they will intensify their check point operations, Oplan Sita and Police Integrated Patrol System in different areas of Bacolod to avoid firearm-related incidents and look out for cases of possession of bladed weapons during the MassKara Festival.
He said the violators of gun ban will face charges for violation of Republic Act 8294 or illegal possession of firearms.
De la Paz added the Bacolod Traffic Management Office will also implement rerouting in some areas in the city especially along the downtown area.
Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on October 01, 2012.
Local news
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