Gun ban to be imposed on April 17

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here will implement the gun ban from April 17 to 23, as part of the security measures for the return of the Panaad sa Negros Festival.

Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, Nocppo’s public information officer, said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters approved their request for the suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearm Outside Residence (PTCFOR) for civilians here and in the province.

Catalogo said that only police and military personnel are allowed to carry firearms in line of their duties.

A person who may be caught violating the law will be charged for violation of the gun ban and illegal possession of a firearm, he added.

Meanwhile, Catalogo said that they have allotted 412 personnel to secure the festivity, and 398 of these are now available for deployment. A send-off ceremony will be held at the Nocppo headquarters here on Saturday, April 15, he added.

Catalogo said that the number of personnel may be adjusted, depending on the need for more security for the visitors and other guests, as well as VIPs.

He said that Nocppo personnel is assigned to man the activities and be deployed inside the Panaad Park and Stadium here, while personnel of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) will be deployed outside the venue since the area is under their jurisdiction.

He assured that the security plan for the festival is already in place.

This year’s festival, with the theme “The Promise Renewed,” has returned after being suspended for three years due to the pandemic.