A TOTAL of 2,033 law enforcers will be deployed for the security of the 39th MassKara Festival in Bacolod City this month.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), in a press conference at the headquarters Wednesday, October 3, said the security forces for the said festivity is composed of policemen from BCPO, Police Regional Office (PRO)–Western Visayas, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), Philippine Army, and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Last year, 1,587 personnel were deployed for the festivity but because of the emerging situation, Ebreo said they increased the number of security forces.
“This month, some candidates for the national position are filing their candidacies for the midterm elections next year, and local candidates will do the same next week. It is expected that those running for the senatorial bid will come to Bacolod and witness the MassKara Festival,” Ebreo said.
They are also intensifying their intelligence monitoring to prevent bomb threats like what happened in nearby regions, most especially there is an influx of people for the said celebration.
Ebreo said they are also preparing for the reported “Red October,” wherein New People’s Army (NPA) will launch attacks on police stations and military camps this month, particularly on October 17.
“That is why we have organized more Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) companies to specifically provide security during protests in relation to ‘Red October,’” he added.
Ebreo said 50 percent of the total number of personnel will be deployed on October 7, a day before the official opening of the festival while 100 percent deployment will be during the highlight week of the festival from October 24 to 28.
The send-off ceremony will be on October 24.
Aside from the uniformed men, police will also tap force multipliers who will be stationed in some areas during the festival.
Ebreo said they've been conducting series of conferences regarding the security preparations for MassKara Festival to ensure a more peaceful celebration this year.
We are now 80 percent ready for the festivity while waiting for other support personnel from other units which will augment for the security, he added.
Last month, 150 out of 1,700 policemen who were requested by BCPO from PRO-Western Visayas arrived in the city to augment with the existing city police forces.
Nocppo will provide 142 personnel and another eight members of a Special Weapons and Tactics (Swat) team.
Ebreo said there will also be task unit tours assigned for the security of the tourists who will also visit other places in the city aside from the three festival sites - Lacson Tourism Strip, public plaza, and Government Center.
Container vans will no longer be used as a facility for drunk or unruly persons. A patrol vehicle will instead be stationed at some strategic areas in case there is a need for a person to be placed under police custody, Ebreo said.
Ebreo also said that his request for the prohibition of bottled liquors and barbecue sticks during the festival before the Municipal Council has yet to be approved.
However, he is coordinating with the festival organizers for its implementation.
Gun ban
Ebreo said they are still waiting for the approval of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the implementation of gun ban supposedly from October 3 to 28.
During the ban, any individual is prohibited to carry a firearm during the MassKara Festival.
They are also pushing for signal jamming during the highlight week of the festival.
Meanwhile, Ebreo said they have not yet received any information regarding the possible visit of President Rodrigo Duterte in the city for the festival.