A total of 1,794 police personnel have been deployed in Bacolod City to secure the MassKara Festival 2026, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said.
PRO-NIR formally sent off the security contingent on Wednesday, Sept. 30, ahead of the festival activities in October.
The deployment includes personnel from provincial police offices, the PRO-NIR regional headquarters and national support units.
Police will be assigned to festival venues, parade routes, transport hubs, public convergence areas and other key locations across Bacolod.
PRO-NIR said the deployment will focus on crime prevention, police visibility, crowd and traffic management and rapid response to incidents.
The security contingent will be supported by personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Rescue groups and other force multipliers will also augment the security operations.
Specialized teams will include explosive ordnance personnel, K9 units, drone operators and medical support groups.
Police will also deploy patrol vehicles, motorcycles, ambulances, handheld radios, metal detectors and crowd management equipment during the festival.
PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, who also serves as task group commander, led the send-off together with Bacolod City Police Office Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya and Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez also attended the ceremony.
Reales reminded deployed personnel to remain vigilant, professional and approachable while maintaining discipline during the celebration.
He also urged festivalgoers to celebrate responsibly and cooperate with security personnel.
PRO-NIR said government agencies, festival organizers, businesses, volunteers and local communities will coordinate throughout the festival to help maintain peace and order.*
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