680 security personnel deployed for Panaad Festival

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 680 personnel from different law enforcement agencies were deployed to secure the return of the Panaad sa Negros Festival in Barangay Mansilingan here set from April 17 to 23.

Task Group Panaad Festival held a ceremonial send-off of troops at Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here last Saturday.

The task group consists of personnel from Nocppo and Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-6, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)- Western Visayas, PNP Maritime Group, and Aviation Security Group, 6th Special Action Battalion of Special Action Force (SAF), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)-Negros Occidental, PNP Explosive and Ordnance, Highway Patrol Group, and Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO).

Pastor Celino Villarete, chairman of Nocppo’s Provincial Advisory Group on Police Transformation and Development (PAGPTD) blessed the troops to include the equipment and vehicles that they will be using.

Initially, more than 400 personnel were to be deployed for the festival, but more personnel were added, considering the security of the guests and other visitors.

Police Colonel Leo Pamittan, Nocppo director, thanked the contingents as he assured the preparedness of the task group to secure the week-long festivity.

Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena, in her message, expressed confidence in the success of the event, citing the unwavering service and dedication of the deployed personnel.

Meanwhile, a gun ban will also be implemented here and in the province in connection to the said festivity, covering the said period.

The festival was suspended for three years due to the pandemic.