The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has begun finalizing deployment plans for Halloween, which falls on Tuesday, October 31.

BCPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said a majority of the cops deployed for the MassKara Festival will be utilized in order to secure those who are heading for the cemeteries to observe All Saints’ Day, which takes place the following day, November 1.

Vargas also stated, the retention of police officers were specifically ordered by Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, in order to dispel any thoughts suggesting, with the MassKara Festival over, cops would return to their normal routine inside police stations instead of guarding the streets.

“More or less, 500 personnel were retained,” Vargas said.

She added, the augmented personnel will be used to oversee the security of visitors heading to cemeteries or the churches around the city.

Among other plans being finalized are the deployment of police officers along highways, major thoroughfares, and transport terminals.

Police assistance desks will also be placed along major roads in order to assist motorists./DGB, WDJ