INDEX crimes in Bacolod City during the 21-day celebration of the 39th MassKara Festival decreased by 28.57 percent compared to last year.
Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), presented the comparative data of crimes covering the MassKara days at the BCPO headquarters Monday, October 29.
Based on the data, index crimes or eight focus crimes reduced by 18 incidents from 63 incidents in 2017 to 45 cases this year.
Among the eight focus crimes, the top three most prevalent crimes are theft with 19 cases; physical injuries, 15; and robbery, 7.
No homicide cases were recorded from October 8 to 28.
Ebreo said the reduction of crimes can be attributed to the deployment of more policemen at the festival sites and even outside the venues, and streets.
He said they have most likely reached the target on crime reduction.
Ebreo, during the culminating and awarding ceremony of Task Group MassKara 2018 at the Bacolod Government Center yesterday, reported to the city officials and top officials of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas that they have achieved "zero major incident" during the festivity.
There was no significant MassKara-related incident that happened all throughout the festivity, even during the arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend, he said.
The members and heads of the task group were awarded by PRO-6 led by Chief Superintendent Carlito Feliciano, deputy regional director of administration, with Philippine National Police (PNP) Merit and Commendation medals for their valuable efforts in securing the festivity.
Meanwhile, the local government unit of Bacolod through City Administrator John Orola and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran expressed their gratitude to the police and other volunteers who also contributed to the success of the festival.
A boodle fight for all the security forces followed, in the presence of the city officials led by Mayor Evelio Leonardia. (GYM)