New PNP chief to lead send-off of MassKara peacekeepers

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa will lead the send-off of augmentation forces for the 40th MassKara Festival on Oct 21, 2019 at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.

A press statement from the City PIO said Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia will join Gamboa in the ceremonial send off.

The press statement also cited Col. Henry Biñas, director of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), as saying that Gamboa will deliver his message to the augmentation personnel.

The send-off rites will start after the Mass at 7:15 a.m. at the Bacolod City Government Center lobby.

The BCPO earlier said it will deploy a total of 3,220 personnel comprised of 58 police commissioned officers and 3,162 police non-commissioned officers and 400 force multipliers.

The BCPO will deploy at least 47 motorcycles, 23 patrol cars, and 59 hand-held radios, while additional patrol cars will be arriving on Oct. 19.

Biñas said another batch of augmentation personnel from Police Regional Office-Western Visayas are expected to arrive next week to beef up the existing city police force for the festival.

Last Sunday, a total of 600 policemen from PRO (Police Regional Office)-6 arrived in Bacolod and were already deployed to various areas especially in the city’s festival sites at the Bacolod Government Center, Public Plaza, and Lacson Street, as well as in Manokan Country area to maintain peace and order.

Gamboa is also expected to visit the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office.

Gamboa assumed the PNP helm after General Oscar Albayalde stepped down from his post last Oct. 14.