• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
At least 200 police personnel from Western Visayas will augment security operations in Bacolod City during the 47th MassKara Festival 2026, Negros Island police regional spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong said.
The augmentation force from the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) was secured by the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) to reinforce public safety and security measures during the 18-day festival, with highlights on Oct. 17 and 18.
Earlier, the PRO-NIR deployed 1,794 security personnel in the different venues of the festivities and key areas of Bacolod City.
The deployment underscores the close coordination between PRO-NIR and PRO-6 in ensuring a safe, peaceful and orderly celebration, as thousands of residents and visitors are expected to converge in Bacolod for MassKara activities.
A send-off ceremony for the augmentation personnel was led by PBrig. Gen. Alexander Mariano, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-6, and received by PBrig. Gen Rudecindo Reales, regional director of PRO-NIR, at the PRO-6 Multi-Purpose Hall in Iloilo City on Oct. 6. | GPB
