BACOLOD CITY — A total of 3,194 security personnel, majority of them from the police, will ensure peace and order during the highlights of the 39th MassKara Festival in three sites around this city on October 26-28.
The send-off ceremony, headed by officials of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, was held Monday at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds, witnessed by city officials led by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
Senior Supt. Carlito Feliciano, deputy regional director for administration of PRO-Western Visayas, on behalf of police regional director, Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, lauded the multi-stakeholder efforts in Bacolod to ensure the peaceful and secure staging of the festival highlights.
He said the police want to replicate the “very successful” staging of the MassKara Festival last year.
Deployed were 1,866 policemen, including 572 organic personnel of Bacolod City Police Office, as well as 1,294 augmentation forces from PRO-Western Visayas in Iloilo City and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) national support units — Highway Patrol Group, Aviation Security Group and Maritime Group — provided a total of 38 personnel.
The Philippine Army deployed 50 soldiers, Bureau of Fire Protection — 24 personnel, and Philippine Coast Guard — 16.
Other support personnel include 80 for emergency response and 341 traffic auxiliary as well as 779 force multipliers from various volunteer groups.
Meanwhile, resources include one unit man truck, three firetrucks, 49 four-wheel vehicles, 54 motorcycles, 315 hand-held radios, and 165 sets of Civil Disturbance Management equipment.
Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office, said this year’s security contingent is about 30 percent more than those deployed in the 38th MassKara Festival.
“Last year’s security situation was different. (Now), we foreseee different emerging situations so we adjusted the number of personnel we deployed this year,” he said.
Ebreo added that with the upcoming elections next year, security plans have to be aligned with the expected arrival of senatorial candidates for the festival.
He added that international guests, particularly the contingents from the International Mask Arts and Culture Organization from various countries, will also arrive for the highlights.
Ebreo said the gun ban or the suspension of permit to transport and carry firearms outside residence (PTCFOR) is also enforced in Bacolod until the end of the festival as part of the security measures.
He added that mobile phone signals will be shut down from October 26 to 28 in all festival sites -1 the Bacolod Public Plaza, Lacson Tourism Strip, and Bacolod City Government Center grounds.
The 2018 MassKara Festival, which coincides with Bacolod’s 80th founding year, is being held for 21 days starting October 8.
The highlights will feature the Electric MassKara Performing Floats Competition on Oct. 26-27, and the Street and Arena Dance Competition-School Category on October 27.
The Street and Arena Dance Competition-Barangay Category will be held at the Bacolod Public Plaza on Oct. 28. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
