By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City government, alongside members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Army, and other government agencies, met at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) yesterday afternoon to finalize security plans for the upcoming MassKara Festival, scheduled to take place next month.
“I expect no less from the police than [to have] every street corner covered and each individual thoroughly inspected,” said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
The mayor is also looking to implement a gun ban during the festival, which Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Investigation and Detective Management Unit (IDMU) head, Police Superintendent Levy Pangue, said he would request from PNP chief, Director General Ronald Dela Rosa.
The BCPO official also noted, they have yet to determine the number of police officers they will be deploying, but said BCPO acting director, Police Senior Superintendent Jack Wanky, confirmed the city police force would be augmented for the month-long celebration.
He added, Wanky met with officials from Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) in Iloilo City to discuss security preparation.
Pangue noted, backpacks and glass bottles would be banned from festival sites, along with the jamming of mobile phone signals./WDJ