THE Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (Noppo) said Wednesday that police forces in the province are all prepared to provide security to the province.

This, as the province marks once more the "Cinco de Noviembre," commemorating the date when brave Negrenses fought with heart and mind to oust the Spaniards from ruling the land in 1898.

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Noppo chief Manuel Felix said he had instructed all police stations in the entire province to be alert at all times, especially Thursday when the province celebrates the 111th year of liberty from Spanish rule.

Expected to observe commemoration rites are Bago City and Silay City where the Negrense revolt was ignited 111 years ago.

In 1896, Negros did not seem enthusiastic about the revolution that had sparked in Luzon areas. Until several rich landlords began to feel the sympathy of the others who fought to end the insurrection.

Two years earlier, Negrenses launched a surprise revolution on November 5, 1898 led by Aniceto Lacson from Talisay City and with Nicolas Golez as the deputy commander of the revolutionaries.

In the south, Juan Araneta of Bago City with Rafael Ramos of Himamaylan City as deputy commander led the revolt.

The revolution, with Negrenses using their minds instead of engaging to a bloody fight, resulted to a total freedom that the province has now enjoyed for the last 111 years.

It was the late President Corazon C. Aquino who signed Republic Act (RA) 6709 on February 10, 1989, declaring November 5 as a "special non working holiday" throughout the province.

Commemorating activities would be staged today at Silay City, with the province's top officials expected to grace the occasion. Similar activities would be observed in Bago City.

Noppo said police forces would join the celebration by way of providing tough security throughout the province. (JOC)