• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A total of 3,258 security and emergency personnel will be deployed to secure various festival sites across Bacolod City for the 47th MassKara Festival which kicks off today, Oct. 1.
The deployment officially commenced following a multi-agency sendoff ceremony Sept. 30 at the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) headquarters.
The rites were led by Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) director, Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, and BCPO director, P/Col. Eugene Rebadomia, with Mayor Greg Gasataya and festival director Rodney Ascalon, among others.
Following the ceremony, the BCPO immediately placed its forces on full alert status with an initial deployment of 1,794 police personnel to key festival sectors.
The deployment includes 2,686 uniformed police officers and augmented officers from PRO-NIR and PRO6, 314 force multipliers, 98 personnel from partner-agencies, 90 rescue workers from the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and private groups, and 70 traffic officers from the Bacolod Traffic and Transport Management Department.
Rebadomia said the BCPO has recommended a four-day total gun ban, from Oct. 15 to 19, to coincide with the festival highlights.
More than 100 emergency response vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, are also on standby across designated areas.
“While others are celebrating, you are serving. While others are enjoying the lights, you are watching over them. And while others are making memories, you are helping make those memories safe,” Reales told the deployed personnel.
“Be vigilant, professional, courteous, and approachable. Be firm when necessary, but always respectful. And most importantly, take care of one another,” he added. | TMD
