MASSKARA SECURITY. Lt. Col. Gilbert Ilagan, regional chaplain of Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas), leads the blessing of troops during the send-off ceremony of forces and resources for the 40th Masskara Festival at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Monday (Oct. 21, 2019). More than 2,000 personnel were deployed to secure the highlights from October 25 to 27. (Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY -- A total of 2,074 personnel have been deployed to secure the highlights of the 40th MassKara Festival this week -- expected to be graced by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The send-off ceremony, held at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds on Monday, was led by Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, police regional director, and Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
“We have sent off our personnel, our troops. They are ready to be deployed after several weeks or even months of preparation. We are following the protocol of any major event established by the Philippine National Police. We have established task units,” Pamuspusan said in a press conference.
He added that part of the contingency preparation is the arrival of the President during the festival highlights between October 25 and 27.
“We have planned for that. If the President decides to visit again, in coordination with the Presidential Security Group, we are prepared to give support. We will provide close-in security to the President,” Pamuspusan said.
Leonardia said the Chief Executive’s visit has been tentatively set for Friday.
“If he comes on Friday, we will have him open the Electric MassKara,” the mayor said.
During the send-off, Col. Harold Tuzon, deputy regional director for operations and over-all supervisor of Task Group (TG) MassKara, presented the forces and resources, while Lt. Col. Gilbert Ilagan, regional chaplain, led the blessing of troops and logistical resources.
The security contingent includes almost 700 uniformed personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas), national support units of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Army.
Support will also be provided by force multipliers, volunteer rescue groups, and staff of the city disaster risk reduction and management office.
The TG MassKara is composed of the Site Sub-Task Groups for Security, Peace and Order, and Emergency Preparedness and Response, which are supported by various task units.
Col. Henry Biñas, city police director and commander of TG MassKara, said they aim for zero untoward or major incident, and to reduce the occurrence of crimes against persons and properties.
“As of now, no crime has happened in the festival sites,” Biñas said, adding that they were also working to increase the people’s confidence in having a safe and secure festivity. (PNA)
