By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) announced that around 2,000 police personnel will be deployed for the Trillion Peso March 2.0 on Sunday, November 30, as authorities finalize a full-scale security plan for the anticipated multisectoral gathering.
The march, expected to draw participants from youth groups, civil society organizations and various sectoral alliances, is projected to remain peaceful, but police said they are taking “maximum preparedness measures” to ensure safety and protect the public’s right to assemble.
PRO-NIR said all units across Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are under heightened alert, with coordinated preparations involving local government units, emergency responders and partner agencies.
Deployed personnel will handle crowd control, traffic management, route security, and rapid response to emergencies.
While no major threats have been detected, PRO-NIR said security monitoring will be continuous leading up to and throughout the event.
“We are fully committed to ensuring that the November 30 activity is conducted safely, peacefully and orderly,” PRO-NIR director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said.
“We respect the people’s right to peaceful assembly, and our duty is to protect that right while safeguarding the welfare of the entire community,” he added.
Ibay also urged participants to remain responsible and cooperative, stressing that police personnel on the ground are prepared to assist and maintain peace.
The assembly areas for the rally include the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, South Capitol Road and Sacred Heart Seminary on Lizares Avenue.
Participants will converge at the Bacolod City Public Plaza replica center for the rally at 2:00 p.m.
Motorists and residents are advised to keep track of official advisories for possible traffic adjustments and to report any suspicious activities through established hotlines and police assistance desks.
With coordinated efforts from security forces, local governments and community partners, PRO-NIR assured the public that “all necessary protocols are in place” to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of the Trillion Peso March 2.0./CJ, WDJ