PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil has approved a 17-day gunban for the duration of the 45th MassKara Festival in Bacolod City that kicked off on Friday, Oct. 11.
The MassKara festivities started with a motorcade from Araneta Street to the Bacolod City Government Center where a “Grand Salubong” was held Friday evening with bands entertaining the crowd.
Residents complained of heavy traffic and gridlocks in several parts of Bacolod.
Marbil, in his memorandum issued Thursday, suspended the permits to carry firearms outside of residence in Bacolod City from 12:01 a.m. of Oct. 11 to 12:59 p.m. of Oct. 27, except for personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms.
The gun ban was approved by the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame based on the request of Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez that was conveyed by the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6), PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, the region’s director, said Friday.
Wanky also reiterated that they have also requested Benitez to issue an executive order preventing the public from flying drones during the festival, especially over large crowds, as they can be used to carry bombs and other deadly weapons.
He said they were asking that only the PNP and other law enforcement agencies be allowed to fly drones for security surveillance purposes and the festival organizer, Bacolod Yuhum Foundation.*