The Bacolod police aim to field 1,600 policemen and recommend a gun ban for the MassKara Festival in October, Col. Joeresty Coronica, Bacolod City police director, said on Monday, Sept. 8.
Coronica said they will recommend the gun ban to Mayor Greg Gasataya, who will then have to forward a request to the chief of the Philippine National Police for its enforcement.
The Bacolod police will also seek more than 800 additional policemen to secure the festival, on top of those already in the city.
The police are also studying whether to request a signal jam for cellular phones, but Coronica said this is not likely due to past negative feedback unless the president arrives.
The carrying backpacks at the festival sites will be banned, unless they are transparent, Coronica, said.
There are four festival sites: the Bacolod Public Plaza, the Bacolod City Government Center, Lacson Street, and Megaworld’s The Upper East, he said.
The police are also on heightened alert against illegal drugs to prevent an upsurge of supply in Bacolod during the festival.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said the imposition of a signal jam is difficult as communication is necessary. What is important is to ensure police visibility and increase peacekeeping forces, he said.*