1,165 cops, soldiers to secure MassKara

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Some 1,165 police and military personnel will secure the MassKara Festival celebration in Bacolod City.

The troops, vehicles, firearms, and other control and security resources are now ready after the blessing and sendoff ceremony held at the BCPO headquarters Thursday.

The personnel come from the Bacolod City Police Office, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, the Philippine Coast Guard, K9, Bureau of Fire Protection, Special Weapons and Tactics, Regional Mobile Force Battalion VI, and the Philippine Army.

The sendoff was attended by BCPO director, P/Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, Brigadier General Inocencio Pasaporte – 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Atty. Pinky Mirano-Ocampo, MassKara Festival director; and Bacolod Traffic Authority Office chief P/Maj. Junji Liba, among others.

Some 1,165 police and military personnel during the sendoff ceremony at the Bacolod City Police Office headquarters Thursday, Sept. 29, to secure the MassKara Festival celebration. | BCPO photo

Martir assured Mirano-Ocampo of the police’s commitment to ensure peace and order during the festival.

Mirano-Ocampo said everything is set for the launching of the three-weeklong festival which will commence with the salubong this Friday at the Bacolod Government Center.

To open the festivities, Bacolod is bringing in music icon, Rico Blanco, to take centerstage during the kickoff salubong, along with other surprise guests.

Blanco is a multi-awarded singer-songwriter, and one of the founding members of the Filipino rock band, Rivermaya. He has since launched his solo artist career and has dabbled in films and production, a press release from the organizer said.

Rodney Ascalon, stage director of the event, said the show will start at 4 p.m. with lots of entertainment, leading to the countdown by midnight with an explosion of fireworks, to signal the start of the MassKara Festival.

Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez and the city councilors are expected to join the countdown.

“We will be showcasing the events that will take place in the festival to give the people a preview of what to expect in these competitions,” Ascalon said, adding that they will also unveil the installation art of visual artist Charlie Co that has become a must-see in the festival.

Joining Blanco on stage are local bands and performers, the Toda Kings, electric and streetdance participants, the Miss Bacolod MassKara contenders, among others.

“Post-countdown, the party will continue with music from our bands and DJs,” Ascalon added.

Mirano-Ocampo said they have coordinated with the police and military, along with other law enforcers, to ensure the safety and security of all revelers.

“We have started to setup the food and exhibit stalls in both the BGC and the Bacolod Public Plaza and we are expecting locals and visitors to patronize what we have to offer for them,” she said.

“We are still in the pandemic and we encourage everyone to take heed of protocols,” sheb stressed, like the wearing of face masks in enclosed spaces and very crowded places. ||