THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has no records on incidents related to the celebration of the 39th MassKara Festival since its opening on October 8.
Chief Inspector Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of BCPO, in a press briefing at the headquarters yesterday, said there were no cases of alarm and scandal, illegal possession of bladed weapons and firearms, and other petty crimes at the three festival sites - public plaza, Lacson Tourism Strip, and the Government Center.
"This is because of the presence of more policemen in the event areas," Gabana said, adding that the assistance of force multipliers and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams outside the festival sites also helped a lot in crime prevention.
Gabana said they also attribute it to the awareness campaign of policemen in schools.
There is an improvement on the crime reduction this year. Unlike last year, wherein some incidents happened on the first week of the festivity, Gabana said.
Gabana said they will continue with their intensified security measures to reach zero crimes during the festivity.
Additional policemen from the regional office will arrive on October 22, he said.
The full deployment of policemen, military troops, force multipliers, and other law enforcement units will be during the highlight week of the festival.
Meanwhile, Gabana reminded MassKara-goers to follow the rules when entering the festival sites.
Backpacks, firearms, cigarettes, lighters, bladed weapons, and other pointed objects, among others, are prohibited at the festival venues. (GYM)