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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider 1,819 cops to secure Bacolod MassKara Festival

1,819 cops to secure Bacolod MassKara Festival

Published Sep 24, 2025 05:41 pm
CORONICA (second from right). (Glazyl Masculino)
CORONICA (second from right). (Glazyl Masculino)

BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will deploy 1,819 policemen to secure the 46th MassKara Festival in October.

Bacolod police chief Police Col. Joeresty Coronica said that 900 are  augmentation personnel – 600 from Siquijor, Negros Oriental, and Negros Occidental under Police Regional Office (PRO)-NIR and 300  from PRO-6 (Western Visayas).

“This is the first time we are celebrating MassKara Festival that the BCPO is under PRO-NIR,” Coronica said.

The PRO-NIR tapped additional forces from other police offices to ensure a safe and peaceful festival.

Coronica said the deployment of personnel will begin by Oct. 1, the official kick-off of the festival.

He said they will be augmented by other law enforcement agencies, but the number is still being finalized.

“This is an interagency effort so we need to help each other to achieve a peaceful celebration,” he added.

Police have recommended a gun ban to Mayor Greg Gasataya during the festival but the mayor has yet to decide. “Whatever is the decision of the mayor, we will just abide,” said Coronica who added that it would be the first time that there would no gun ban if Gasataya decides against the peacekeeping measure.

AJ Marquez, head of the inter-agency department, reminded brands and sponsors to avoid surprise celebrities to enable police to allocate exact security for events.

Marquez said non-disclosure of celebrities is a nightmare for the police because they could not prepare enough security and may create a stampede that could affect peace and order.

Lawyer Reuben Mikhael Sabig, head of the Bacolod Transportation and Traffic Management Department (BTTMD), said that 25 to 30 traffic enforcers will be deployed during the festival especially with road closures in festival sites.

Proposed road closures include Bacolod public plaza from Sept. 28 to Oct. 20, with full road closure from Oct. 1 to 19 from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. on weekends, and 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on weekdays.

Marquez said that roads to Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) will be partially closed from Oct. 1 to 19 at the same time. Affected roads are North Road (Marketplace), South Road, and East Road.

Lacson Tourism Strip will be closed from Oct. 13 to 21, with full road closure from Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. to Oct. 21 at 6 a.m.

Marquez said the proposed road closures are intended to ensure smooth traffic management, proper emergency access, and the safety of thousands of festival-goers expected to attend this year’s celebration.

Festival director Rodney Ascalon appealed to Bacolodnons and visitors for patience and cooperation. “We understand that these closures will affect daily routines, but they are necessary to ensure the safety and order of our festival.”

Final rerouting advisories and guidelines will be released once the Bacolod City Council grants approval.

Dr. Laarni Pornan, head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and Fire Supt. Jenny Mae Masip, city fire marshal, have prepared personnel for deployment.

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MassKara Festival Bacolod City
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