![]() A gun ban began at 12:01 a.m. today in Bacolod City and will last until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, while cellular phone signal jamming at specific times and areasis being eyed during the highlights of this year's MassKara Festival, and the arrival of President Rodrigo Duterte in Bacolod City, this week. The Police Regional Office-6 also sent off a 4,365-strong security force and logistics to be used in securing revelers and sites of the festivity, at ritesheld at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds in Bacolod, yesterday. Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, regional director of PRO-6 and Task Force MassKarahead, said they requested the service providers of cellular phones, on a limited scale, to shut off their repeaters at certain areas, which is part of the security requirement. JAMMING The specific time and area where their signalsare to be shut off will be based on the threat assessment, Binag said. Bacolod Mayor EvelioLeonardia said he experienced signal jamming in Iloilo and he believed this was also done in Cebu, where major festivals were held. “It will be hard for the public that their cellular phones will have no signals but this is for their own good, because this is a security measure,” Leonardia said. The mayor is appealing to the public for their understanding if the signal jamming will cause them inconvenience as they are doing it for everyone's security. As to the gun ban, Binag said all permits to carry firearm outside residence are cancelled. Only law enforcers are allowed to carry firearms, he said. Binag said the send-off ceremony is to show the people of Bacolod and all the local or international visitors that the security task force,and the emergency response are ready. “We are prepared for the festivities,” Binag said, adding, “Practically all my battle staff is here.” SECURITY Of the security forces, 1,361 are police officers from the Bacolod City Police Office and PRO-6, 120 are from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 600 are Army reserves, 370 are fromthe Bacolod Traffic Authority Office, 704 are volunteers, and 1,210 are Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams. Binag told Supt. Roderick Minong, BCPO officer-in-charge, and the rest of the police force in the city that he wants a strong police presence in Bacolod and toreduce crimesand fear of crimes. Binag toldhis men, “Let us be serious in this task. This is another opportunity for us to showcase that we have a professional police service ready to serve whatever kind of task is given to us.” The security force also includes air support from the Air Force, and help from the Philippine Coast GuardandBureau of Fire Protection,Binag said. He said their recent addition to the security force is the Explosive Ordnance Division personnel from Camp Cramewho, with their bomb suits and X-ray, will be panelling the area. “We mean business in providing security to this world-renowned MassKara Festival,” Binag said. APEC STANDARD The TFM aims to reach an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) standard, including the send-off ceremony, which was used during APEC and currently being done in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), he said. Binag said PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa instructed them to reassure the public and to see to it that the celebration of MassKara is orderly, peaceful, and successful. “And let this news be spread throughout the country, to those who will be attending. Please come to the MassKara Festival and you're safe,” Binag said. The Presidential Security Group will be meeting with the TFM today in connection with the visit of the president. Local Government UndersecretaryJesus Hinlo, Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Bacolod Rep.Gasataya, and Martin Diño, Mayor Rodrigo RoaDuterte's National Executive Coordinating Committee secretary general, also attended the ceremony.*SGG BY SHIELA G. GELERA
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