1,400 law enforcement personnel to be deployed

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 1,400 law enforcement personnel will be deployed as part of security plans for this year’s Bacolaodiat Festival, which begins on February 1.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Ariel Pico, said security forces will be comprised of BCPO and Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) officers, along with anti-crime and rescue volunteer groups.

He said Philippine Army soldiers and K-9 units will also join their existing force, while PRO-6 is expected to further augment their existing personnel a few days before the festival begins.

The BCPO official added, deployment will be concentrated at the Bacolod City Government Center, the primary festival site.

Pico expects law enforcement surpass their performance since there is only one festival site, unlike previous years when Bacolaodiat was also celebrated along Lacson Street.

Three watchtowers will also be installed at the Bacolod City Government Center, which provides a vantage point for police when scanning the perimeter for troublemakers.

A traffic rerouting scheme has also been implemented by the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, with roads at the Bacolod City Government Center operating in one direction.

The BCPO spokesperson also did not discount the possibility President Rodrigo Duterte may attend the event, noting, contingency plans are in place.

Meanwhile, an inter-agency meeting was also held yesterday to finalize their security plan for the event./DGB, WDJ