BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The security situation of the ongoing Panaad sa Negros Festival 2023 is manageable and no major incidents have been recorded thus far, according to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO).
Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, NOCPPO spokesperson, said during the first day of the festivities, they recorded a fistfight between two individuals, although it was later settled by both parties after they were brought to Police Station 7.
NOCPPO is in-charge of the police security inside the Panaad Park and Stadium since it is a provincial government-owned land. However, detention and filing of criminal charges related to incidents that take place inside the Panaad are handled by Police Station 7.
According to Catalogo, they also recorded a case of theft at the Panaad Stadium – one of the participants in the cultural events lost a mobile phone and passport.
The second day of the festivities, meanwhile, saw no incidents while on the third day they recorded a misunderstanding between two lovers which was referred to Police Station 7.
Catalogo said it is important that police officers assigned in the area immediately respond even to the smallest of incidents to prevent it from escalating and turning into a bigger problem.
A total of 680 uniformed and civilian personnel are overseeing the safety and security of the festival.
Stationed at different security sectors and task units, the security personnel consist of police officers from the NOCPPO, Bacolod City Police Office and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6, Philippine National Police (PNP)-Maritime Group, PNP Explosives Ordnance, Highway Patrol Group, Aviation Security Group, and 6th Special Action Battalion; Philippine Coast Guard-Western Visayas; Bureau of Fire Protection-Negros Occidental; and Bacolod Traffic Authority Office.
The Panaad sa Negros Festival is dubbed the “Festival of all Festivals” in Negros Occidental. It went on hiatus for three years (2020, 2021 and 2022) due to the coronavirus pandemic./PN
