By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) said it is closely monitoring the entry of illegal drugs into the province ahead of the Panaad sa Negros Festival.

NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, said it is highly likely that druggies will take advantage of the festival to get supplies and sell illegal drugs to users.

Catalogo said the NOCPPO has requested installing additional checkpoints at the province’s main entry points, especially in Bacolod City.

They also requested the deployment of additional K9 units to sniff out illegal substances that may be smuggled into the province.

During the celebration of Bacolod’s MassKara Festival last year, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency made several interceptions and drug busts which resulted in high-value seizures of illegal narcotics.

The highest confiscation was made on October 13 of that year, when operatives from Bacolod City Police Office-City Drug Enforcement Unit seized 1.2 kilos of suspected shabu valued at P8.5 million in the city’s Barangay 1.

Two people were arrested in the said operation.

It was later found out that the suspects intended to sell the suspected shabu during the MassKara Festival.

NOCPPO also informed the public on Wednesday, April 12, that a province-wide gun ban would take effect during the week-long Panaad sa Negros Festival.

All permits to carry firearms outside of residence will be suspended from 12:01 a.m. on April 17 until 11:59 p.m. on April 23.

Panaad sa Negros Festival is dubbed the “Festival of all Festivals” in Negros Occidental.

All 31 participating local government units showcase the best they could offer in culture, sports, food, and tourism.

The event will also be held for the first time following a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic./DGB, WDJ