NOPPO completes security preparations 

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) yesterday announced security preparations for the upcoming Panaad sa Negros Festival, which begins on April 14, are complete.

In an email sent by NOPPO spokesperson, Police Inspector Charmae De Paz, she said their office conducted a series of coordinating conferences with provincial officials, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), officials from the Bacolod City government, and non-governmental organizations.

De Paz said police assistance desks and hubs will be established at the Panaad Park and Stadium, those heading towards the festival site will be required to pass checkpoints, and police visibility and patrols would be conducted in strategic areas.

She also said NOPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., ordered a ban on all sharp objects, including knives and ice picks, at the festival site.

Castil also called on festival goers to be vigilant and help the police in the campaign against criminality.

Earlier, Provincial Executive Assistant Eric Loretizo released a Philippine National Police memorandum imposing a temporary gun ban for Barangay Mansilingan from April 12 to 22 as part of festival security measures./DGB, WDJ