BACOLOD CITY — A total of 1,072 policemen, soldiers, other law enforcers and volunteers will secure the 25th edition of the Panaad sa Negros Festival set on April 14-22.
The nine-day festival will be held at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Barangay Mansilingan in this city.
The Panaad sa Negros Festival 2018 Site Task Group, which oversees the security operations of the festival, is co-chaired by Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), and Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Data provided by the Negros Occidental police as of Tuesday showed that of the 1,072 security personnel to be deployed, there are 828 policemen and 244 personnel from the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, rescue units, and civilian volunteer groups.
As part of the security plan, the Philippine National Police has approved an 11-day gun ban that will suspend all permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFOR) in Barangay Mansilingan from April 12 to 22.
However, Ebreo said that the since election gun ban would also start on April 14, the suspension of “permits to carry” would not just be enforced at the festival site, but also throughout Bacolod, and nationwide for that matter.
Only policemen, soldiers and law enforcers from other agencies performing official duties with proper agency-prescribed uniforms will be allowed to carry firearms.
According to the Nocppo, police assistance desks will be set up in strategic areas and in the vicinity of Panaad Park and stadium.
Policemen will also conduct intensified random checkpoint, police visibility, and security patrol operations in crime-and incident-prone areas such as ports and terminals and residential areas, it added.
On April 20, during the pageant night of Lin-ay sang Negros, cellular phone signals will be jammed at the Panaad Stadium.
“We appeal to the public for understanding and cooperation on the safety procedures to be done by authorities for a safe and secured celebration,” the Negros Occidental police said. (PNA)
