BCPO issues gun ban

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) issued a memorandum yesterday morning declaring a gun ban, part of security preparations for the Bacolaodiat Festival, which is set to begin tomorrow, February 15, and run until February 19.

BCPO spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said the ban will be in effect throughout the duration of the festival.

Vargas said only uniformed members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies would be allowed to carry firearms.

Meanwhile, Vargas also confirmed an augmentation force of 150 Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) personnel would arrive in the city in time for the event.

She said the force would be concentrated on primary festival sites and at the various Chinese temples in the city.

PRO-6 director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, will also be in the city to monitor security for the festival./DGB, WDJ