Bacolod police request gun ban for Masskara

THE Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has requested the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 to suspend permits to carry firearms outside residence during the 40th Masskara Festival from October 8 to 27.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said yesterday they already submitted their request to PRO-6 for the enforcement of gun ban during the Masskara Festival.

“We requested for the enforcement of the gun ban from the opening of festival until October 27 which it’s a big help to reach the zero major crime incidents here,” he said.

He added the PRO-6 will also submit their request to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Manila for approval.

Pico noted that once the Pnp-central Office will approve the suspension of the permits to carry firearms, the gun ban will be enforced within Bacolod City only.

During the gun ban, only the members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies in agency- prescribed uniforms who are performing official duties will be allowed to carry firearms.

Pico said they are also facilitating the possible shutting down of network services from all telecommunication companies during the highlights of the festival.

Meanwhile, BCPO is also finalizing the total number of policemen to be deployed during the festival celebration.

Pico said on Monday, they held a City Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Center meeting in preparation for the Masskara Festival at the BCPO headquarters.

The meeting was attended by BCPO, Philippine Army, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Department of Health, Special Action Force, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Aviation Security, and City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Pico said several concerns have been discussed such as the security, the augmentation personnel, budget among others.

“We want to ensure not only the peace and order but also the safety of everybody during the festival especially in the festival sites at the Bacolod Government Center, public plaza, Lacson Street and the area of Manokan Country,” he said.

He added backpacks, ball caps, bladed weapons, and pointed sticks are prohibited at the festival sites as well as those who are wearing more than two tshirts to avoid untoward incidents during the festival.