
The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) is increasing their police visibility as many events are lined up towards the end of the year and the election season is picking up, an official said on Thursday, October 10.
“We have increased the number of checkpoints from two to three times a day in every police station in the province as we also undertake other measures to ensure public safety in the coming weeks until December,” NOPPO spokesperson Lt. Stephen Polinar said.
Polinar said a meeting will be held with the provincial government and other law enforcement units about the Buglasan Festival, which will start on October 18.
The Buglasan Festival is the province’s official socio-cultural and tourism celebration, held every October to showcase various cultures, heritage, and practices of the towns and cities.
Malacañang has declared October 25 a special non-working holiday for Negros Oriental to allow its constituents to enjoy the different activities and watch the Festival of Festivals grand showdown and street dancing competition.
Polinar said the security contingency plan also covers the observance of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day on November 1 and 2; the Dumaguete City fiesta activities to celebrate the city’s charter day on November 25 and its patron saint on November 24; and the holiday season.
He said security measures would be revised from time to time to align with the different activities.
The NOPPO spokesperson added that they are coordinating with the intelligence community against lawless elements concerning the May 2025 elections.
The police have also stepped up their campaign against loose firearms as part of their regular operations and to prevent election-related violence. (PNA)