Police aim zero crime scenario in Bacolaodiat

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) urged the almost 1,000 security personnel to increase visibility to prevent crimes during the 15th Bacolaodiat Festival that kicks off today.

About 816 uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), as well as members of rescue groups, were sent off Thursday for the festivity.

The send-off ceremony was led by Police Colonel Henry Biñas, BCPO director, and Bacolaodiat Festival 2020 chairwoman Oddette Gomez at the BCPO headquarters.

Aside from the uniformed personnel, 150 force multipliers will also be deployed to secure the festival which will run from January 31 to February 2.

They will all be divided into two festival sites – Bacolod Government Center and Lacson Tourism Strip, and the streets to ensure peace and order during the festivity.

Biñas urged the security forces to unite to achieve their goal for a zero crime rate in this year’s festivity.

He noted that only four minor incidents were reported last year with no major or significant cases happened.

“There is nothing impossible if we work together,” he stressed, as he also urged everyone to cooperate to help them maintain peace and order in the city.

He also reminded the public that the PNP will implement a citywide gun ban from January 31 until 12 midnight on February 3.

Meanwhile, Gomez expressed her gratitude to the security forces for going the extra mile for the safety of everyone.

“We are one in praying with you for a safe, successful, orderly, and peaceful event,” she said.

Gomez said that “with the endless support and services of the uniformed personnel, she believes that they will be able to finish the festival with no major untoward incidents and achieve a zero crime rate.”