BACOLOD City – Security preparations for the 39th MassKara Festival are now in “full blast,” according to Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) head Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo.
Ebreo said additional police officers have already been deployed to Bacolod two weeks before the celebration kicks off.
He added that agencies and other groups concerned in securing MassKara have met for a two-day contingency planning and workshop last week.
The festival will be from Oct. 8 to 28. The last three days are its highlights.
There are three festival venues – the public plaza, the Bacolod City Government Center ground and the Tourism Strip on Lacson Street.
Ebreo said possible emergency scenarios and other eventualities were already tackled in their security meeting.
Immediate actions and resources were set, he added.
“We expect everything that may happen. We are thinking outside the box,” the BCPO chief stressed.
The BCPO has initially asked 1,700 augmentation forces from the Police Regional Office 6.
The first batch of these security personnel arrived in the city on Sept. 19.
Ebreo said they may request additional security personnel should there be more festival activities.
Although there is no threat, the security preparation for MassKara was designed to prevent terror attacks.
“We cannot be complacent,” Ebreo said.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia has invited President Rodrigo Duterte to once again grace MassKara. (With a report from PNA/PN)
