MORE than 1,500 policemen, force multipliers, and military will be deployed to provide security for the 39th MassKara Festival in Bacolod City which opened Monday, October 8.
Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, public relations officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said the third batch of augmentation personnel composed of 665 policemen from Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, arrived at the city Sunday.
Of the total number, 645 are non-commissioned officers and 20 are commissioned officers.
Gabana said the augmentation forces were welcomed by Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting BCPO director, who reminded them about proper courtesy, discipline, the doctrine of command responsibility, accountability, chain of command, and threats on terrorism and criminality.
Ebreo urged them to reduce crimes and fear of crime, and increase the level of confidence of the stakeholders.
Gabana said the two batches of augmentation personnel composed of 221 policemen from PRO-Western Visayas arrived last month and were already deployed in their assigned areas on the first week of October.
Aside from the augmentation personnel from the regional office, military troops will also be detailed in some areas.
Gabana said 50 percent of the BCPO personnel and 806 force multipliers will also be deployed.
The force multipliers were distributed to Police Stations 1, 2, and 4.
The three festival sites - Lacson Tourism Strip, Government Center, and public plaza are covered by these police stations.
There will be 100 percent deployment during the highlight week of the festival from October 24 to 28.
The send-off ceremony will be on October 24.
As part of the intensified security measures for the festivity, six watch towers will be put up at the three festival sites to ensure the safety of all revelers.
It would be easy for police to respond to any untoward incident since they have the overview of the place. Revelers would also easily locate the police for assistance, Gabana said.
Gun ban
Meanwhile, Gabana said that gun ban will be implemented from 12 midnight of October 7 to October 29.
He said bringing of firearms is prohibited during the said dates in Bacolod, particularly at the three festival sites. Anyone who may be caught violating the law will be criminally held liable.
Signal jamming or the temporary shutting down of network services from all telecommunication companies will be implemented on October 27 and 28, during the highlight week, Gabana said.
Gabana also reminded everyone that backpacks and bladed weapons are prohibited at the festival sites.