The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) will deploy 477 uniformed personnel to secure the Buglasan Festival, which runs from Oct. 16 to 26.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOrPPO spokesperson, said the uniformed cops will be assigned to different venues and key areas, coordinating with other law enforcement personnel.
The deployment includes personnel from the provincial headquarters, police stations, provincial mobile force companies, and a 35-member team from the Regional Mobile Force Company.
The Philippine Army, Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) will also field personnel, though their final numbers are still pending.
The police are expecting a large crowd on Oct. 17, which Malacañang has declared a province-wide official non-working holiday. Major events include a street dancing competition, a grand showdown, and a civic-military parade at the Capital.
Polinar said police assistance desks will be set up, and checkpoints will be established to ensure that no illicit drugs or other contraband find their way to the festivities. For emergencies, residents can contact hotline numbers and 911.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region has not yet committed to sending augmentation forces, as it is also attending to security requirements for the MassKara Festival in Bacolod City, which overlaps with the Buglasan Festival dates.*PNA