A TOTAL of 105 members of the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team from three different police offices in Western Visayas are undergoing training as part of their security preparations for rallies during the possible visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in Bacolod City for the 39th MassKara Festival celebration this month.
Of the total number, 100 are non-commissioned officers from Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, four are commissioned officers from Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), and one is a commissioned officer from Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of BCPO, said the team is led by Senior Inspector Elmer Bonilla from BCPO.
The 100 augmentation forces from the regional office were among the 665 policemen who arrived in the city on October 7 to augment with the existing city police force for the festival's security.
Gabana said the team will undergo a five-day training at the old airport, which started just Wednesday, October 10.
Police tighten the security especially during presidential visit since progressive groups would usually stage protests.
This is our way to ensure the safety of everyone while celebrating the MassKara Festival, Gabana said.
Gabana also clarified that the CDM training has nothing to do with the reported "Red October" ouster plot against the president. (GYM)