The Police Regional Office-6 (Western Visayas) on Wednesday deployed 200 police personnel to augment security in the ongoing 47th MassKara Festival in this highly urbanized city.
They are part of the second batch of security forces, along with those from Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region Regional Public Safey Battalion and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, sent off for the 18-day festival, with highlights set on Oct. 17 and 18.
In his message, Col. Eugene Rebadomia, director of Bacolod City Police Office, told police personnel to always wear proper uniform and ensure proper hygiene on duty.
“One of my reminders to them is (that) they are the show window of Bacolod police,” he said.
Rebadomia further reminded the police officers not to drink alcohol while guarding the festival sites.
The additional security contingent is part of the 2,686 uniformed personnel from the PRO-NIR and PRO-6 deployed for the city’s biggest annual cultural celebration.
In his earlier message, PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, commander of Task Group MassKara, urged security personnel to remain vigilant, professional, and approachable while serving festivalgoers.
“While others are celebrating, you are serving. While others are enjoying the lights, you are watching over them. Be vigilant, professional, courteous, and approachable,” Reales said. (PNA)