BCPO requests augmentation force of 1,700

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, has requested Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) to provide 1,700 police officers as part of the augmentation force for this year’s MassKara Festival.

During the BCPO chief’s weekly press conference, he said the number of police officers needed for the festival may further increase as it would also depend on the number of activities.

Ebreo confirmed 150 PRO-6 cops arrived in Bacolod City this week as part of the initial augmentation force and have already been assigned to various police stations in the city.

The city police director also said he has been attending various security conferences as part of the preparations for the festival.

At present, the police in the city are concentrating on preventing terror threats, similar to the recent bombings in Mindanao.

Another concern for strengthening security is the possible visit of President Rodrigo Duterte during the festival.

The Philippine Army, as well as other force multipliers, will also help in overseeing security for the event./DGB, WDJ